A Norvell Note

One story from Abraham and Sarah:

Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.” (Genesis 18:10-15, NIV)

Sarah most likely thought she was far enough away from the conversation that no one knew she was listening and certainly no one could hear her reaction to the news that she was going to finally have a baby “After I am worn out and my master is old.” She was wrong. She was heard. And worse, she was confronted and could not hide it.

I feel for her. I sense her frustration and disappointment. I understand how she must have felt (not about having a baby) about laughing to herself. “Yeah, like that’s going to happen now. Great timing Lord!”

I also know how she must have felt being confronted by the God who says, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

More times than I can recall I have laid out my requests before the Lord and waited expectantly. And waited. And waited. Nothing happens. Eventually I’ve gotten to the point that Sarah may have reached, “Okay, Lord, if this is not going to happen, what are You going to do? Are You going to do anything? Are You telling me to give up on this dream? I do not understand. But, I still trust You. Although it seems crazy I will wait.”

He acts. Often at the least expected and most convenient time, He acts. I laugh to myself. He hears me laugh. I deny it. “I did not laugh.” He says, “Yes, you did laugh.”

The new ministry begins with great enthusiasm and excitement. You experience God’s empowering presence in ways you never imagined. You are seeing the results you had hoped for. You are encouraged. Something changes. Positive results begin to diminish. You and your co-workers get discouraged. You pray for a turn-around. Nothing happens. No signs of improvement. You question your wisdom, ability, leadership, and your heart. You resolved that things are never going to change. You begin looking across the fence at the greener pastures. Then, He does something amazing. You laugh to yourself, “Oh really. Now?” He hears you laugh. You deny. He says, “Yes, you did laugh.”

You had such hopes when your marriage began. You were the perfect couple. You knew it was true and everyone who knows you agreed. Now, years later the dreams have faded, the communication has stopped, and you both are too tired to try anymore. Help is available but neither of you can be convinced it is worth trying. You are almost to your breaking point and ready to either walk away or to tolerate the mediocrity of the relationship when something happens. You are unable to actually pinpoint what it is, but something says, “Don’t give up.” You laugh to yourself, but He hears you. He whispers: “I’m not finished with you.” You laugh again.

I’m not sure how God feels or how He thinks about things like this, but I get a sense that He loves to hear us laugh as He reveals His plans for us. I sense that He loves to catch us when we feel like we are about to fall and remind us that He has everything under control. I sense that He enjoys surprising us by meeting us at the crossroads of life with hope, reassurance, and a refresher course in faith and trust.

Father, I know You hear me laughing. Thanks for listening.

Tom

© Copyright 2014 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 17 No. 01 | January 6, 2014
During a week when there is much talk about making New Year’s Resolutions about losing weight, getting healthier, exercising, reading the Bible regularly, and praying more andbeing overwhelmed with suggestions and techniques and plans for doing each, through his relationship with the Lord, David gives us a simple formula for prayer:

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3, NIV)

Reading the rest of the Psalm reveals his understanding of the kind of heart needed to have God’s ear: honest, righteous and humble. Convinced that he has that kind of heart, or at least is attempting to have that kind of heart, he calls out to God. Confident that the Lord is listening he simply prays.

In the morning I lay my requests before you. Pray in the morning. Obviously you can pray anytime and anywhere, but David takes his requests to the Lord in the morning. Why is that a good idea? In the morning things are fresh on our minds, and our minds are usually clearer. In the morning, chances are we have not gotten bombarded with tasks of the day. In the morning, leaves the impression that this is a priority. Before I get started into the events and responsibilities of my day, I pray. I lay my requests before you.

In the morning I lay my requests before you. My requests. There does not seem to be a limit or any specifications on what these requests need to be. David simply says, “my requests.” I suppose that can be anything. Dreams I have. Plans I am making. Hopes for the day, week, month, the coming year, the rest of my life. Concerns I have for myself, my loved ones. Health issues. Financial issues. Certainly spiritual issues. I lay them before you. I give them to you. I leave them with you.

And wait expectantly. Uh-oh! You knew there had to be a catch didn’t you? Wait. You mean my requests will not be granted immediately? Some times, but not always. Some times we wait. Some times we wait and we wait and we continue to wait. But, we wait expectantly. We wait with hope. We wait with our eyes wide open to see how God responds to our requests. We lay our request before the Lord and wait expecting Him to act.

So, here is a suggestion for praying (even if and especially if you have already abandoned your resolution to pray more). Take a few minutes in the morning to approach the Lord and say, “Lord, here is my list of requests for the day.” Leave them there. Lay them down. Give them to Him. Wait expectantly for God to act. Then, watch God work.

This is a simple formula. A simple plan that just may enhance your spiritual walk, increase your faith, and draw you closer to the Lord. I hope you will give it try.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

 

Vol. 16 No. 52 | December 30, 2013

What if you could keep the New Year’s resolutions you are about to make?

What if you could have a better marriage?

What if you could be a better parent?

What if you could get the promotion in your company?

What if you could teach that class at church?

What if you could lead that small group study?

What if you could share the gospel with that person you work with?

What if you could change your bad habits?

What if you could overcome your shyness?

What if you could stop using bad language?

What if you could stop feeling sorry for yourself?

What if you could stop living with a victim mentality?

What if you could improve your financial situation?

What if you could do great things for the Kingdom of God?

What if you could change the atmosphere in your workplace, in your home, or in your church?

What if you could forgive the person who hurt you so deeply?

What if you could get beyond your past?

What if you could forgive yourself for mistakes you have made?

What if you could be forgiven for your sins and begin a new life?

What if you could do those things, would you? Sound impossible? Maybe. But what if you could? Would you? Before you answer consider these statements from the New Testament.

Jesus once asked a similar question in John 5:5-9 (NIV):

One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

In another place Jesus is questioned by His disciples about why they could not drive out demons:

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:19-20, NIV)

On another occasion Jesus’ disciples were puzzled by a statement Jesus made about the difficulty being saved:

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:25-26, NIV)

There was another time when Jesus had a conversation with a man who had a very sick child:

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:21-23, NIV)

Paul wrote about his struggles and his desire to overcome them in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10(NIV):

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In Philippians he wrote: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (4:13) “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (4:19)

Now, answer the question: What if you could, would you?

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 51 | December 23, 2013

Re-gifting has become a fairly common occurrence this time of year. I heard John Ortberg

tell about taking a gift he and his wife received for their wedding and re-gifting as a wedding gift for a young couple, who in turn years later re-gifted it to another young couple. Chances are this Christmas season you will be the recipient of a gift that has been re-gifted to you, or you will re-gift something that you received last year. It is even possible that you could receive a gift that you gave last year. If you re-gifted it last year, then it is only appropriate that you get it back.

There is a gift that is worth re-gifting.

Acts 2:37-39 (NIV):

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Romans 6:22-23 (NIV):

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:6-9 (NIV):

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no
one can boast.

Revelation 22:16-18 (NIV):

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

If you have received this gift of hope, re-gift it. Find someone who may have lost hope, or who may be losing hope. Share with them the reason you have hope. Encourage them to hold on and not give up. Walk with them for a while until they have their hope restored.

If you have received peace, re-gift it. Look around your place of work. You will probably see someone who struggling to find peace. She is facing a major life decision. He is straggling with his marriage. The lady who works in the office down the hall has not heard from her daughter in three weeks. The salesman who calls on your company every week got word this morning that his wife wants a divorce. Pray for them. Tell them you are praying for them. Break the ice and ask how they are doing. When the time is right share with them a time when your relationship with God sustained you as you went through a difficult time.

If you have received the gift of joy, re-gift it. Put it on your face. Let what you feel in your heart be visible in your disposition. It is not hard to find a person who needs more joy. You can help them see a different way. Use positive language. Look for joyful things to share. Gently share when them something God has done for you that brought you great joy.

If you have received the gift of love, re-gift it. Keep your eyes and ears open in your community of Christians for the person who comes in at the very last minute, sits alone, and leaves as soon as the last song ends. Seek them out and speak to them. Say more than a quick, “Hey, how’s it going?” Look them in the eye and say, “How are you?” and wait for an answer. Pray for an opportune time to share with them the love story that is the Bible, and what it means to you.

This week we celebrate the gift of Jesus. He is hope, peace, joy, and love. He is the gift worth re-gifting.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 50 | December 16, 2013

Rumors have circulated for weeks about a well-known college football coach at a prominent university as to whether or not he would be fired. As the season ends he announces his retirement. It was his decision.

Running hand in hand with that story was the story of another well-known college football coach at a prominent university who was interested in the previous coach”s position and would leave his school for the position held by the other coach. As the season ends he signs a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract and is staying put. He said he had never considered the other position.

A coach at a smaller, lesser-known university signs a contract to coach the team. After one successful season he breaks his contract, and signs a contract with a bigger school for considerably more money.

Athletes go on record as saying they play for the love of the game and that the fans are what it’s all about. Then, when a more lucrative offer from another team is offered they are gone.

A woman stands with a man and pledges that she will love her husband for better or worse, for richer or poorer, for as long as they both shall live. The marriage takes some unexpected turns and is no longer what either of them had anticipated. They agree to file for a divorce because they cannot imagine God wanting them to be so unhappy.

A father tells his daughter that he will love her and protect her, and that he will never let anyone hurt her. He does not. He abuses her.

A man runs for office promising to lead the nation as a man of the people and for the people. As important and critical bills pass before him he consistently votes for what seems to profit himself and a few wealthy supporters.

A news media company advertises that “We are the network you can trust.” Week after week they report on stories that turn out to be half-truths, partial-truths and total fabrications.

A ministry leader stands before his parishioners every week preaching a message of godliness, honesty, purity, selflessness, and dedication to helping the poor, the broken, and the lonely. A story breaks revealing a secret life of greed, immorality, and extravagant living.

These kinds of stories are all too common. Is it any wonder that so many of us are skeptical, cynical and often apathetic. Who can you trust? Is there anyone who remembers what it means to be loyal, dependable, people of their word?

There is One.

The prophets said He would come. He came.

The gospel writer said He came to dwell among us. He did.

He said He came that we might have “abundant life.” (John 10:10). He did. We can.

He said He would teach us how to love, how to serve, and how to live even when He was gone. He did (John 13-17). We can.

He said He would die and rise again in three days. He did.

He said He would never leave us. He has not.

He said He will come again and take us to be with Him forever.

Who can you trust? Although examples of the untrustworthy are plentiful, not everyone is lying. Although you will have many who will make promises and not keep those promise, some will keep them. Although there are many reasons to become skeptical, cynical, and apathetic, don’t.

Who can you trust? You can trust Jesus.

Trust Him. He keeps His promises. He can do what He says He will do.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 49 | December 9, 2013

Stay warm, stay safe, and stay close to Jesus. I ended an email to a friend who lives in an area experiencing and ice storm.

Stay Warm.

That is advice for a winter day. Stay warm. If you can, stay inside, by a fire, and with someone you love. For those who have lost their heat, have no home, have no heat, or must work outside in this weather, I am sorry. For those who are serving others by working outside, I am thankful for your faithfulness in doing what you do. For the rest of us who can, stay warm.

Stay warm on the inside as well. Don’t just avoid the cold temperatures, but avoid the cold heart, the cold attitude, and the cold spirit. Staying warm is a choice we will have to make. It is not natural. It will not come easily. It may never be noticed or appreciated. But, choose to stay warm. (Watch This Is Water it will help you think about your choice.) Matthew 14:13-14, “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

The world has a tendency to want to squeeze us into its mode of skepticism, negativism, cynicism, and suspicion (Romans 12:1-2). Don’t let it happen to you. Stay warm.

Stay Safe.

Stay safe if you must get out in the weather. Icy roads are treacherous and dangerous. A common warning when winter storms come is, “If at all possible, stay at home.” Sometimes it is better to not make it to a church service (yes, I did say that), stay home from work, and miss the ball game, than risk your life, or the life of someone else by trying to navigate slick roads. When the weather is bad it is good advice to stay safe.

Staying safe is not always the best thing to do. Sometimes people of faith are asked to take a risk, to do the ill-advised, to step out in faith, or to take the road less traveled. When you do you may be criticized, you may be ridiculed, and you may be called foolish, childish, or even crazy. Do it. Step out. Don’t play it safe. (See Hebrews 11)

Matthew 14:27-29, But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said.

His friends may have said, “Peter, stay safe here in the boat with us.” If he had, he could have never said, “I walked on water!”

Stay Close To Jesus.

Stay close to Jesus. This is always good advice. This is always the best route to take. This is always the right choice. Warm weather or cold, icy conditions: Stay close to Jesus. On your job or in your home: Stay close to Jesus. Working hard or on vacation: Stay close to Jesus. Through the good times and through the bad: Stay close to Jesus. In sickness or in health: Stay close to Jesus. Through times of wealth and times of poverty: Stay close to Jesus.

Matthew 14:29b-31, “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”

Wherever you are today, whatever you are doing, whoever you are with: Stay warm, stay safe, and stay close to Jesus.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 48 | December 2, 2013

When I opened my email on this day after Thanksgiving, which has come to be known as Black Friday, I had dozens of unread emails. Most offering me amazing deals on thousands of products I do not need. All with a similar message: “Don’t miss out!” “Hurry!” “You can’t afford NOT to take advantage of this special deal!” Weeks before Black Friday sales were being advertised with many actually beginning several days before. Now that Black Friday has passed the sales continue.

Facebook users and members of the news media are noticing and commenting on this compulsion for buying, having more, and getting the best deal possible.

Philip Jones, Jr. posted a photo (that may have actually been taken on Thanksgiving Day or evening) of a shopping frenzy where people are being trampled in a department store with this comment: “Black Friday: Only in America do people trample each other for sales just a few hours after being thankful for what they already have.”

Grant Norvell posted this: “If you love America, you’ll buy stuff today whether you should or not.”

Suzie Bowers shared an article about three women arrested for public urination while waiting for Black Friday opening at Target store near Little Rock, Arkansas.

Then, I came across an article highlighting a group in Philadelphia who said: “Today seems like a good time to say: ENOUGH.” (Shane Claiborne Celebrates Buy Nothing Day)

Local news reported that Americans spent $9.7 billion on Black Friday, and will spend $602 billion this holiday season.

We pay homage to the Giver of all good gifts for part of one day but quickly return to our lives of getting more, demanding more, convincing ourselves that we need more.

Is this simply an example of who we are, a sign of the times, or is there a cause for concern? Maybe both? Being thrifty, being good stewards, and stretching a dollar are good things, but mob scenes and exhaustion due to midnight shopping sprees may be too much.

Jesus expressed it like this:

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life (emphasis mine), and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”(Luke 21:34-36, NIV)

Eugene Peterson expresses it with even more clarity:

“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping (emphasis mine). Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36, The Message)

Am I against having things? Nope. I love stuff. Am I opposed to saving money by shopping for bargains? Nope. I love eBay, Amazon, and discount stores. Am I puzzled by and amazed at and concerned about our tendency toward greed and misplaced priorities? Yes. Very much.

Can I offer anything that might help us avoid this destructive trap? Yes. “Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36, The Message)

And this…

“Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7-9, NIV)

Maybe one day we will learn to be thankful and not want more. Maybe.

Oh, I have just been reminded that it is now Cyber Monday.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 47 | November 25, 2013

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:17)

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1)

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. (Psalm 107:8)

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. (Psalm 107:15)

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. (Psalm 107:21)

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. (Psalm 107:31)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)

At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. (Psalm 119:62)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1,2,3,26)

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. (Revelation 11:17)

Can you catch the theme? Give thanks. Give thanks this week. Give thanks next week. Give thanks every week. It is always a good time to give thanks.

As you give thanks this week know that I give thanks for you. In fact, to borrow Paul’s words…

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3-11)

Let’s give thanks.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 46 | November 18, 2013

Came across this quote while pondering the events of the day and checking how life is being lived on Facebook (thanks, David Lewis…I think), “Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it.” (Kahlil Gibran) Ouch!

Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6) Ouch! Ouch!

I began writing this while visiting my daughter and son-in-law. Part of our visit was spent purchasing and assembling a crib, a dresser/changing table, and rocking chair (and a really cool ottoman) in preparation for the February arrival of their baby girl. It was a great blessing to share these days. As they, and we, await the birth we could all wear ourselves out trying to control everything that may or may not happen before this little girl makes her entrance into our world. Or, we could realize that we have little to no control over any of the events leading up to her birth. We could all worry and fret, or we can trust God who controls the births of all babies. We will think about the baby on the way. We will think about the joy we will share. We will dream endless possibilities. But, we do not want or need to be in control. We choose to trust Him.

As I wait for my flight I have seen weather forecasts that say there are storms in Nashville. We have an engagement later tonight that we would prefer to make on time. If the flight is delayed, we may be late, or not make it at all. I have done everything I can to get there on time. However, I am not flying the plane, I do not control the wind, and have no desire to do either. I will think about what I’ll do if the ride gets bumpy. I will consider my options if I am delayed. I will also think about what we will do when I arrive safely and on time. But, I do not want or need to be in control. So, I trust that this plane will leave the ground on schedule, and that it will safely arrive fairly close to the scheduled time, and if it does not I trust that we will be okay.

Like many Americans we are investigating options for health insurance. Most options are less than what we prefer. The very concept of insurance implies that we are preparing for something that may or may not happen. One of us may get sick. One of us may need surgery. One of us may get cancer. One of us may have a serious health issue. We may not. So we continue our search for affordable and adequate health insurance. We could wring our hands, lose sleep, and go into a panic over what will happen if we do not. We could trust God to lead us to adequate insurance at an affordable price. We do not run the federal government, determine the cost of insurance, and we do not have control over unexpected health issues. My wife and I will talk to insurance agents. We will talk about our needs and the best way to have those needs met. But, we do not want or need to be in control. So we trust that God will help us find what we need at an affordable price.

Every morning we wake up with an abundance of options and opportunities laid out in front of us. We have a choice about how we will approach the day. We can spend our hours trying to control and manipulate everything that happens and all the people with whom we will have interaction. If that is our choice we would do well to be certain that we are indeed in control of the universe, or else we are in for a day — a life — of frustration, disappointment, anxiety and stress. Although we may think we do, we really do not want or need to be in control. God is better at running the world than we are.

Why not, instead, trust the One who gave you breath to handle what happens? He knows your needs. He knows the needs of those with whom you will have interactions. He knows the things that need to happen during the day. He is already prepared for the things that “might” go wrong and are beyond your control, and He knows the things that will go right. Trust Him. Surrender to Him. Let Him have control. He knows what He is doing.

He is in charge. You can relax.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 45 | November 11, 2013

She was born into the family of friends from our early days of marriage on November 10. Although it was from a distance we celebrated her birth. Who could have imagined the blessing she would be thirty years later as we, through the creativity and craftiness of our son, celebrated her 30th birthday?

Only the irresistible God who loves to surprise and amaze us could have devised such a beautiful and elaborate plan.

Only God could bring a little blond curly-haired girl into my world and let us find a connection at a very young age. Only God could know that those hugs we shared all those years ago would continue throughout our lives. He must have been smiling as He saw those smiles on our faces back then and as the smiles continue today.

Only God could orchestrate a plan that would allow our families to stay in touch through the years even though we have lived many miles apart. Through the occasional short visits and photos on our refrigerator we watched her grow. Only God could have built a childhood friendship between her and our son that would later blossom into a beautiful love story and lead to marriage.

Only God could put our family in a situation where we would become friends with some of her relatives that would bring her into our city and at our football game. Only God could prompt her to leave her seat with her family and join our family in the bleachers. Only God could prompt me to ask her, “What are your plans for next summer?” Only God could open the doors for her to come to work as a youth intern with our teens (including my daughter) and live in our house…for two summers. Only God could know that a sister-like relationship would develop between the two of them and we would feel like we had gained another daughter. Only God could use that convenient time to reignite conversations between Bethany and our son. Conversations that would eventually lead to deeper romance, dating, an engagement, and to date a five-year-plus marriage. Only God could know how much she would come to mean to our family.

Only God could know that this little curly-haired girl and this little boy of mine would one day bring a beautiful little curly-haired granddaughter into our lives who would bless us with more smiles, laughter, and an innocent sweetness that only God can plant in a human heart. That same innocent sweetness that was earlier planted in the hearts of her parents.

Only God could know know that thirty years after she was born her family and many of her friends would gather in Brooklyn, New York to help celebrate her 30th birthday.

Only God could know all these things long before any of us ever dreamed they could of our family together into such an amazing mosaic.

Only God. Only because that is the kind of God He is.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Happy Birthday Bethany! Only God could know how much we love you.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.