A Norvell Note

Vol. 17 No. 42 | October 20, 2014

In the second part of the opening chapter of his letter to the believers in Philippi after he expresses his love for them and the joy he finds in their partnership in sharing the gospel, he explains the joy he is experiencing as a result of his imprisonment. His joy exists, it seems, not in spite of the chains, but because of the chains. His confidence in God’s plan, though unclear at the time, reminds us that we, too, can find joy in our struggles and still carry out our mission for the Lord.

In the middle of his description of his unpleasant circumstances he shares another reason for his joy.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.(Philippians 1:15-18, NIV)

Christ is preached. Paul rejoices.

He knows that some use the name of Christ for their own benefit, or to create problems for him. He does not care. He rejoices. He knows that some have good intentions. He rejoices. Because he is in chains the message of Jesus is being preached. Even though he is in prison the message of Jesus is being preached. He may not get the credit, he may not get the recognition, and he may not see the results, but he rejoices because Jesus is preached.

Can we do the same?

Have you ever noticed how many churches we have in our communities? There are churches of all shapes and sizes, with all kinds of teachings that are specific for a particular tribe. Each one carries out her ministries in ways that may differ from ours. We have one thing in common: Jesus is preached. The externals are different. The insider language may be different. The practices vary. The styles of worship may not be like ours. We have one thing in common: Jesus is preached. They are organized differently from us. The teaching materials they use are not like ours. The methods of sharing the messages are not like ours. We have one thing in common: Jesus is preached.

Paul rejoiced because others were preaching Jesus regardless of their motives. With all the issues that divide us, all the walls that separate us, and all the arguments that alienate us it is good that we can rejoice when others preach Jesus.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 41 | October 13, 2014

Paul begins his letter to the Philippian church (after a brief greeting) with these words, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3, NIV) He expresses his joy that comes as a result of his relationship with them and prays for them. What an encouraging moment that must have been when those lovers of God and lovers of Paul received his letter where he shared his love for them, and explained what was going on in his world. There surely was a sense of relief to learn that he was doing so well, even though he is in a difficult place.

What an encouragement it must have been when they heard the words, “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Are there people in your life to whom you could say the same thing? “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Not once in a while. Not occasionally. Not once in a blue moon if something happens to remind me of you. Every time you think of them you thank God for them.

We may have a few people who prompt the opposite response. Every time we think of them we ask God why He put them in our life. We may question His wisdom for allowing them to be such a pain in the neck. We may even ask Him to remove them from our life. Paul probably had one or two of those people as well. He wrote other letters to other groups that have different comments at the beginning. But, not this group. This group was special.

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Who are those people in your life? Have you told them how you feel about them? What a blessing it would be for them to hear these words from you.

Parents, if you can, take the time to look your children in the eyes and say, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Tell them why. Tell them that you are praying for them and what you are praying. Do the same with your grandchildren if you can.

Children, if you can, take a moment and tell your parents, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Explain to them all the things they do and have done that make you so thankful. Remind them that you are praying for them.

Husbands, shock your wife sometime by turning off the game and telling her, “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Wives, go out of your way to tell your husband, “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Is there a teacher who inspired you? Is there a student who stands out from the crowd as one who has great potential? Is there a friend who has been there for you? Is there a co-worker who always seems to be willing to lend a hand and offer a kind word of encouragement? Be creative. Find a way to say, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Tell them why. Tell them you are praying for them.

When I arrived at my office this morning I found a basket of candy, snacks, and all kinds of goodies, golf tees, practice golf balls, and colorful paper creatively arranged to look like a basket of flowers. Attached to it was a handwritten note of encouragement to me expressing appreciation and support for me. Signed simply: “Your siblings in Christ.” What a blessing! What a way to start the week! Do I feel appreciate? Do I feel loved? Absolutely!

You can do that for someone you know and love and appreciate. Turn your good intentions into a blessing for them.

I thank my God every time I think about you reading these Norvell Notes. Thank you for being a blessing in my life and for being blessing in the lives of those around you.

“I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 40 | October 6, 2014

Solomon’s words are speaking to me today: “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)

A thought enters the mind. The thought longs to be expressed. The thought needs to be expressed. For the writer, the teacher, and the communicator, for the thought to not be expressed would be disastrous. It is not an option. The thought must be expressed, but it must be expressed appropriately. Thus, the search for “just the right words.”

When you are writing a friend wanting to provide words of encouragement and words that offer hope you search for “just the right words.”

When you are teaching a child to share his toys you search for “just the right words.”

When you are explaining death to a child you search for “just the right words.”

When you are trying to apologize you search for “just the right words.”

When you are responding to an apology you search for “just the right words.”

When you are making a special request you search for “just the right words.”

When you are saying goodbye you search for “just the right words.”

When you are expressing your love you search for “just the right words.”

When you are expressing your disappointment you search for “just the right words.”

When you are you receive an extravagant gift you search for “just the right words” to express your appreciation.

When pain is deep and real you search for “just the right words.”

When the message is vitally important you search for “just the right words.”

When delivering bad news you search for “just the right words.”

When speaking truth you search for “just the right words.”

And I suppose when you are speaking lies you also search for “just the right words.”

When your heart is broken you search for “just the right words.”

When your heart is bursting with joy you search for “just the right words.”

When you are confused you search for “just the right words.”

When your confusion clears you search for “just the right words.”

When responding to criticism you search for “just the right words.”

When offering “constructive criticism” you search for “just the right words.”

When you are speaking to a counselor you search for “just the right words.”

When the counselor responds to your pain she searches for “just the right words.”

When you are speaking of a dear and departed loved one you search for “just the right words.”

The text from Ecclesiastes continues, “The words of the wise prod us to live well. They’re like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd.” (12:11, The Message)

I never cease to be amazed when I ask the one Shepherd for “just the right words” how He provides them.

I never cease to be amazed when I need someone else to speak “just the right words” to me, for me, or over me, the one Shepherd provides them.

Maybe you are searching for “just the right words” to explain to someone what you are feeling, to express to the one Shepherd how you are hurting, or to sort things out in your own mind. He will provide if you will ask.

Maybe you are searching for “just the right words” as you confront a friend, deal with a problem, or offer advice. He will provide if you will ask.

Remember all the times someone was wise enough to “search for just the right words” before they confronted you, corrected you, encouraged you, or expressed their appreciation for you. He will help you do the same.

The wise man said, “What he wrote was upright and true.”

With the help of the one Shepherd the same might be said of you. Before you shoot off your mouth, send that email, or mail your love letter take a moment to search for “just the right words.” You will not regret it.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 39 | September 29, 2014

These lessons are not new. I am pretty sure I, and all people, learned these as a child, or maybe they naturally came with us into the world. Like many other things as we grow older we think we learn better ways of living, or we forget the simple lessons Jesus said we must learn from those about whom He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3, NIV). So, with the most recent visit with my youngest granddaughter, previous visits with my oldest granddaughter, watching my son and daughter as they grew, and drawing from my own life, I have been reminded of these life lessons.

Falling asleep is easier if you know someone is there to take care of you.

My job (a real chore) was to stay with her while her mom and dad were out for the morning. My instructions were: “If she wakes up, comfort her, feed her a little, and she’ll go back to sleep.” She woke up. I comforted her. I fed her a little. And she began to fall back to sleep. She made a few noises…those special grunts and squeals that babies make when they are half awake and half asleep. As I lay beside her on the bed I put my hand on her chest to assure her that she was not alone and that I was near. She would occasionally half open her eyes look at me and rub or pat my hand. She did that a few times and settled back in to finish her sleep.

My heart melted. My eyes watered. And I thought, “I’m the same way.” When I lay down to rest, for a nap or for the night, it is always good to know someone is there. If not physically it is important to know that emotionally and spiritually someone is there. My Papa is there. He is always there. Close to me, assuring me, calming me, comforting me, feeding me, and reminding me that He loves me.

He is my Father. I am His child.

As we make our way through life there are a lot of distractions.

She is on the floor in her space with her toys. She looks across the quilt and sees a toy that she wants. Bright colorful rings. Her eyes light up. Her arms wave with excitement. She starts across the quilt. Then, she sees the fox. She loves the fox. She grabs him. Squeezes him. Chews on his ear. Then, she sees the rattle and heads for it. On the way she raises her head to make sure we are still there. She smiles and on she goes. But, then she sees that I have my phone out to take her picture. “I love phones.” She makes an immediate left turn and heads for the phone which is the other side of my legs. Legs do not stop her. She pulls up, strains, grunts, and eventually tumbles off my legs. As she almost reaches my phone she notices my drink cup with a bright red straw. “Ooooh! I love bright red straws!”

I do the same thing. I begin my day with a clear direction and detailed plan. I get a cup of coffee and prepare for a quiet time in the Word and prayer. Then, comes a phone call, a text, an email, a reminder of something I had forgotten. “Oh, I’ve got to do that first.” “Oh! Man! I forgot about that!” Somewhat like a pinball I bounce from one thing to the next. When I reach the end of the day I think of one more thing that needs my attention. The time in the Word and in prayer was lost along the way.

Take time to notice everything.

She notices everything. She wants to investigate everything. Her hands. Her fingers. Her toes. Her toys. That piece of string on the carpet. The wedding ring on my finger. The blue band on my wrist. The strings on my shoes. My nose. My mustache. Her mom’s face. Her dads beard. The napkin on the table. The bird. The flowers. She wants to touch it, squeeze it, bite it, taste it, lick it. She notices everything.

We outgrow this lesson faster than any of the others. Busy schedules. Obligations. Deadlines. Commitments. Wants. Needs. Busy-ness. Important things. Before you know it we miss a beautiful sunrise, we ignore a child playing in the park, and we miss a special moment with friends and family. As we rush through our day we fail to listen to our spouse, we gobble down a meal, and we walk past people without acknowledging their existence. As we reflect on our day we are reminded of all the things, moments and people that we passed up and passed over.

Children can teach us so much, if we will let them…f we will take time to notice and watch them. So, here is an assignment for the next week:

First, remind someone that you are there for them, and as you lay down to sleep remind yourself that God, your Father, is there to comfort you, feed you, and help you rest.

Second, guard against unhealthy distractions. Stay focused on what is important.

Third, notice and enjoy all the people, things, and moments that the Lord puts in your path. Slow down. Relax. Rest.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 38 | September 22, 2014

I mowed the lawn at the house we recently moved from for 5th last time. We listed our house last fall and were confident it would sell. So as winter approached I mowed the lawn with confidence that it would be the last time. It was not.

Spring came, the grass grew, the house had not sold, I started mowing. I mowed through the spring, then through the summer, and then early fall arrived and I was still mowing. We signed the papers on the sale and were expected to close within two weeks, so I mowed thinking that would be the last time. The closing was delayed, so I mowed again for the 3rd last time, then again, and finally last week I mowed for the 5th last time. I am optimistic (again) that that was the last time. We’ll see.

As I finished up and swept off the driveway, I thought of other things that are done multiple last times.

There was the time in college when we thought, “This is the last of these lectures I will ever have to sit through.” A low grade (a really low grade) gave us the opportunity to repeat the class (American Literature for me) the next semester.

There is that habit of eating too much, or eating those late night snacks, or eating whether you are hungry or not. “I will never eat that much food again.” “I am not going to eat that late in the day ever again.” It worked…until the next time…and then the next.

There are those sins you have asked forgiveness for over and over again. “That’s the last time I will click that site.” “That’s the last time I will talk like that.” “I am going to learn to control my temper.” It worked. Until the next time.

In sports we make similar promises. “I’ll never hit a shot like that again.” “I’ll never swing at a pitch that far outside again.” “I’ll never let that guy drive around me toward the basket again.” Then, you did it again. Then, you did it again and again…then you did it again.

Then there are all those times when we said we were going to change our conversation. “I am not going to gossip ever again.” “I am going to stop being so negative and cynical and criticize so much.” “That is the last time I am going to get caught up in ‘the sky is falling and the whole world is going to the dogs’ conversation.” Then there’s the next last time, and the next, and still another last time.

Our friend, Peter, had some trouble with this. He told Jesus he would go where ever Jesus wanted him to go with Him. Jesus cautioned him on making such a bold claim, then told him he would deny him three times before the morning. I suspect when he denied Jesus the first time he promised he would never do it again. He did it again. And, he did it the third time.

The exceptionally good news is that after those three denials, Jesus offered him a completely restored relationship. He did that because God is a God of second chances, third chances, fourth chances and as many as it takes. He does not give up on us.

So if you find that you are on your first or second or third or fourth last time of doing something, or not doing something, keep trying. Maybe, just maybe, the next time will really be the last.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 17 No. 37 | September 15, 2014

Father, our connection is bad. It is my fault. Naturally! I am always the one who pulls away. I am the one who chooses to disconnect. You are never far from me and you never disconnect from me.

You are always there waiting to hear from me. Waiting to offer me help. Waiting to fill me with Your Spirit. Waiting to listen to the concerns of my heart. Waiting to remove the stains on my heart that have been put there by sins that I have committed. You are waiting to wipe those stains away. Waiting to offer me a safe place to unload the burdens that I insist are mine to bear. You are always there waiting. Yet, from my perspective it seems as if I am the one waiting.

Waiting for You to do something. Waiting for You to show me the way. Waiting for You to give me the answer I am looking for. Waiting for Your direction on the path I should take or the decision I should make. Waiting to hear a clear message from You. Waiting to hear Your voice. Waiting for the other voices to grow quiet so I can hear Your voice. Waiting for things to work out the way I want them to work out. Waiting for You to change people that I cannot change. Waiting for You to make the wrong things right.

Father, our connection is bad. It is my fault. Naturally! I am always the one who chooses a different course. You are always walking nearby, or sitting nearby, or abiding nearby. I am the one who walks away.

You are always longing for me to come back to You. You are always looking for me to turn around. You are always inviting me to come to You. You are always the One asking me to be still. You are always reminding me that You are close by putting a sunset in the sky, a bird on my window sill, or a child in my arms. You are always telling me that You love me. You are always providing me opportunities to do good things, to help people in need, and to love people who need to be loved. You are always offering me the freedom to just be me. You are always waiting with open arms for me to come home. Yet, it seems like I am always searching.

I am always searching for affirmation that I am loved. I am always searching for the better way. I am always searching for a place to rest. I am always reaching for the more exciting adventure. I am always straining to achieve more. I am always wanting more. I am always dreaming bigger. I am always pushing harder. I am always wearing myself out. I am always preparing for the next thing. Trying harder to do life better.

Father, our connection is bad. I know it’s my fault. Thank You for not giving up on me and for wanting to stay connected with me. I am working on it.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 36 | September 8, 2014
“I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:3-5, NIV)

Paul gives a glimpse into his heart when he admits, “I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.” His words remind me of people who are in one place or a particular situation, doing the best they can with what they have to work with as they let go of hopes and dreams and are forced to live with unfulfilled longings.

I think of the couple who have prayed for a baby for years to no avail. They long to see a new baby so that they may be filled with joy.

I think of the young bride who longs to see her soldier husband come home from the overseas tour.

I think of how the husband longs to be home from his business trip that has kept him away from home all week.

I think of the college student who has worked hard for four years and is now ready to get out into the working world.

I think of the high school senior (and his parents) who has made it to his last semester and thinks he is ready to be on his own, but is not yet actually ready to be on his own.

I think about the business woman who has worked hard, prepared herself and knows she is qualified for the promotion, but is once again being overlooked because she is a woman.

I think about the wife who is giving up on the idea being loved by her husband and experience the family she dreamed about when they married.

I think about the preacher who has given his life to ministry and is now ready to leave the ministry due discouragement and frustration.

Living in a world of unfulfilled longings is not a position to envy. It is frustrating. It is disappointing. It is crushing. Surely Paul must have felt all those things as he penned the words, “I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”

He knew joy was waiting for him if he could only be with the people he loved. He remembers the joyful sadness when he left them.

So, how do you survive a life of unfulfilled longings? I offer these suggestions.

First, as much as possible, focus on where you are and what you are doing. In other words, stay in the moment. Do not wish your life away. Paul expressed it well when he was writing to another group of believers and longing for the support they were trying to send him,

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:11-12, NIV)
Second, rely on God’s strength and not your own. To that same group Paul said, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, NIV)
Third, remember God will provide for all your needs. Paul concludes his message to the Philippians with these words, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, NIV)

I suppose most all of us will find ourselves dealing with an unfulfilled longing at some point in our lives. That part may be beyond our control. How we handle it is not. These three suggestions will not change your situation, but they will help you endure it and get beyond it.

Tom
© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 35 | September 1, 2014

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
(John 17:20-23, NLT)

Was Jesus dreaming? Was the agony of the impending cross affecting His thinking? Was He, as some accused, a lunatic? Did He realize what He was saying when He prayed this prayer? Did John include this prayer in His telling of the story on purpose? Did Jesus not have an understanding of people well enough to know that this can never happen? Was John so caught up in the Spirit and in the moment that he did not realize what he was writing?

The way we, the ones He was praying for, act one could draw the conclusion that the answer to all those questions could be answered with a strong and confident, “Yes!” or “No!” Yes, He was dreaming. Yes, the cross was affecting His thinking. Yes, He was a lunatic. No, He didn’t realize what He was saying. No, John did not intend to include the story…it just slipped in somehow. No, Jesus did not understand people very well. Yes, John was so caught up in the emotion of the moment that He did not realize what he was saying.

The goal, according to Jesus, is that the world will know that He was sent from the Father and that they were united in the plan. The plan for accomplishing that goal is for His followers to be so united with the Father and the Son that the message of His love for them would be undeniably clear.

So, the question must be asked: How are we doing at accomplishing what Jesus prayed for?

Have we achieved such perfect unity racially that people look at us and immediately think, “They are one with God?”

Have we achieved such perfect unity theologically that people listen to our conversations and think, “They are one with God?”

Have we achieved such perfect unity doctrinally that people hear what we believe and think, “They are one with God?”

Have we achieved such perfect unity in any area that people would look at us and say, “They are one with God?”

Maybe our approach to achieving the goal is off. Instead of trying to find such perfect unity on these matters (race, theology, doctrine, etc.), we should first strive to be one with the Father and the Son. Maybe then, we will find unity in these areas that tend to divide us.

Call me naive, call me idealistic, or call me a dreamer. I do not care. I still believe His goal is achievable. I still hope for a day when people will look at us and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are His disciples because we experience such perfect unity. I long to see the prayer of Jesus become a reality. I am not willing to accept the we way that we are as the way we will always be.

I want to continue to pray as Jesus prayed…that we will all be one, just as the Father and the Son are one — as the Father is in the Son, the Son is in the Father. And may we be in the Father and the Son so that the world will believe the Father sent the Son. May we experience such perfect unity that the world will know that the Father sent the Son and that the Father loves them as much as He loves His son.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 34 | August 25, 2014

I suspect if you were to search the archives of A Norvell Note you would find a number of other articles on “moving.” Welcome to the 2014 edition. We sold our house in an effort to downsize and reduce our debt, so we are moving into an apartment until we find the next house. Even though we are calling this a short-term temporary move, I confess that moving is always semi-traumatic for me.

I get attached. I get comfortable. I put down roots. I settle in. I make myself at home. When it is time to move I must detach, get uncomfortable, pull up roots and remind myself that this is not my home. I get nostalgic. I get sentimental. This afternoon I walked through the house and stopped in different rooms thinking, “This is our last Sunday afternoon in this house.” I felt a little like George Banks in “Father of the Bride Part II.” I also thought, “I really do not like boxes!”

In many ways moving is a good thing. Moving forces me to let go and clean out. Moving reinforces the idea that nothing lasts forever. Moving reminds me that every move, in this life, is temporary. One day we find a house and move from the apartment, even though it will promise to provide a feeling of security and permanence, It will not, because it cannot. That move, like this one, will be temporary.

Moving makes me restless. It is difficult to rest until the old place is empty and cleaned. It is even more difficult to rest in the new place until all the boxes are either empty or out of sight. Sometimes even being out of sight is not sufficient. I know they exist therefore they must be unpacked.

Moving also alerts me to the fact I was not created to feel at home in this world. Neither were you. C. S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” [C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Collier Books: New York, 1943, p. 120]

Paul said this,

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3, NIV)
As we make this move, and anticipate the next, we hope that will be the last move. We have hoped that before. We have thought that before. Obviously we were wrong and do not know for certain that it will be true this time. In recent months I have had many reminders of the saying, “If you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.”
I am constantly in need of what the Lord said:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)
So, it is moving week. This house we have inhabited for the last six years will soon be filled with the laughter of another family. Our memories will go with us and we will make new memories in a new place. Another house will become our new permanent home…until it is time to move again. This process will continue as long as we live and breathe until that last move when we finally make it home. That will be a move I will enjoy.
Tom
© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 33 | August 18, 2014

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “Lord, we want you to do us a favor.” (Mark 10:35, NLT)

I pray the same prayer, regularly, “Lord, I want you to do me a favor.”

My prayer is not usually about being the greatest, like James and John, but it is equally self-centered. I say the words then start my list.

I want You to make our church grow.

I want You to make us more effective in reaching the community.

I want You to change the attitudes of some of our people.

I want You to make people do what I want them to do.

I want You to show people what a good guy I am.

I want You to make our marriage better.

I want You to change my spouse, my children, my co-workers, my church members, my friends, people in our community, and people in general so that they think and act more like I want them to think and act. That would be really nice!

I want You to make me a better preacher, a better writer, a better teacher, and a better counselor.

I want You to bring peace to the world.

I want You to do away with all the hunger and pain in the world, and make sure everyone has a home.

I want You to cause our church to be bigger without losing the warm, personal, and friendly atmosphere that we now enjoy.

I want You to make me rich and not think I am anything special just because I am rich.

I want You to make me appreciate what I have and while you are at it make me content with what I have.

There is my list, Lord. Lord, I have a lot of favors that I want You to do for me. At least that’s all I can think of right now. Tomorrow I will probably add a few more things to the list of favors I want you to do for me.

Then, to my amazement, I had a rare unselfish moment and turned to the Lord and said, “Lord, You do so much for me. Is there anything I can do for You? Can I do a favor for you?”

He smiled and said, “Thank You for asking. As a matter of fact I do have one request.”

“Name it, Lord. I am all about doing what You want me to do.”

He put his hand on my shoulder, looked me in the eyes said, “Just serve me.”

He continued. “I look around and see so many of my children struggling for power and position. I just want you to serve me. Don’t worry about where you will sit or what role you will play in my Kingdom. Just serve me.”

“I see so many of my children doing without, struggling to get by, and searching for answers to the many questions that puzzle and perplex them. I wish you would help them. Just serve me by helping them.”

“I know that you have a lot of pressure on you from the people of the world to act big and strong and set policy and make important decisions. Maybe someday you will be called to a place where you will make important decisions that impact the world, but for now, just serve me.”

“Don’t worry about being first. It’s okay to be last. When it is time for you to move to the front of the line, I’ll make sure it happens. You don’t need to worry about it. For now, just serve me.”

“What I really want you to do for me is do what I do. I came to serve, not to be served. So just serve me.”

“And when you serve me, do it with joy and do it cheerfully. Serve me because you love me. Serve me because my Spirit lives in you. Just serve me.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45, NIV)
Tom

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