A Norvell Note

Vol. 16 No. 30 | July 29, 2013

His will. We are all searching for His will in our lives. We are all, in one way or another, trying to determine: what His will is for our lives? What is it that He wants us to do with our lives? Where are we supposed to live? What kind of ministry are we supposed to be involved with? How are we supposed to use the gifts He has given us for His glory?

We spend a significant amount of time and energy wrestling with these questions and wondering if we will ever really know if we are living in a way that pleases God. We may even wonder if it is possible to know what God’s will is for our lives.

Many live life as if we are the silver metal ball in a pin ball machine. We roll this way until we hit a bumper, then, “Ding!” we bounce off in another direction. We hit another bumper, then, “Ding!” off we go in another direction. No control. No sense of meaning. About the time we think we are done the flipper sends us zooming through the maze of bumpers and back through the we bounce from one thing to another. Eventually, the bouncing stops and we head toward the exit at lightening speed. The controller of the game makes one last desperate effort to catch us with the flipper and save us, but even with the strongest effort and all the body English that can be mustered, they miss us and down we go. Game over.

Is that it? Are we nothing more that silver balls at the mercy of fallible and imperfect gamer who uses us to develop his skills as a player? Are our lives to be lived bouncing in one direction, then another, then another, and yet another, responding to any impulse that pushes our pulls us, only to be lost down the shoot at the end of the game? Surely there is more. Surely there is a better way.

We have spent several weeks in the first two verses of Romans chapter twelve attempting to understand this how life is to be lived in the Body of Christ. We would be negligent if we skipped this last sentence.

In the J. B. Phillips New Testament these the section begins with this heading: We have seen God’s mercy and wisdom: how shall we respond? Then, Phillips writes:

With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

Read that last part again: let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity. These thoughts surface.

Maturity is God’s will for my life. God is not as interested in my happiness as I am. God is not concerned about life always be smooth sailing for me. God is much more concerned about me being transformed into the image of His son (Romans 8:29). That is maturity. That is what He wants.

Maturity comes later. After I have reflected on God’s great mercies, after I have surrendered my whole life to Him as worship, after I have allowed the transformation process to begin, and after my mind has been “re-moulded”

When it happens I will know it. I do not have to bounce from one bumper to another. I do not have to be in a constant state of doubt and insecurity. The text says, “…so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”

Stop living like you are a confused and helpless object being manipulated through the game of life that eventually ends with you sliding down the exit into nothingness. You are being changed into the image of God’s son. Sometimes it is painful. The transformation process usually takes longer than we prefer. He knows what He is doing. Trust Him. In the end you will know that He is good and his plan is good and meets all his demands.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2013. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 29 | July 21, 2013

As we make our way in life following Jesus something happens. We commit ourselves (sacrifice our lives) to God. We seek His guidance and long to know His will for our lives. We want Him to be the Lord, the ruler, of all that we think, say and do. We rely on His promises for strength, power, wisdom, courage, and the promise that His Spirit will guide us in all understanding.

In the process of all that, something amazing happens. We are changed. We are transformed. We become someone we have never known, and maybe never dreamed we could become. It happens through His power and it happens as our minds renewed.

To renew means to “resume (an activity) after an interruption”. It means to “return to, take up again, come back to, begin again, start again, restart, recommence; continue (with), carry on”. It implies the return to something or some place where we once were.

The follower of Jesus has little trouble seeing the need, understanding the process, and appreciating the opportunity to “renew our minds.” Where would we be if we did not have this gift of renewal?

As important as the renewal process is, and as vital as it is to our spiritual transformation, it often seems that we know very little about it. What is it? How does it work? How are our minds renewed?

From two of the three texts we have been examining (see them below) it seems apparent that it is something that happens to us. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (NIV), and “You’ll be changed from the inside out.” (The Message). However, the New Living Translation indicates it involves our “changing the way you think.” Actually the NIV leans toward some action on our part as well. So, let me offer a few thoughts on what we can do to renew our minds and how we can prepare ourselves to have our minds renewed.

Sometimes we must literally change the way we think. There are times when our thinking just gets off track. Our brains (with the assistance of the great Enemy) begin to tell us lies. “God does not really love you.” “He is not really going to forgive you of your sins.” “You have done too many bad things to ever be made clean again.” When that happens we need to simply remind our brains that “this is wrong thinking and I refuse to do any more.” This requires an honest examination of what we are thinking and how it is affecting us. When it happens we need to literally change the way we think.

Sometimes we must do things that will renew our minds. There are times when we need to do some physical activity that causes us to change the way we think. Stress, busy schedules, sickness, fatigue, and being overwhelmed by life cause us to lose our focus, lose our direction, and confuse our thinking. When that happens we need to take a break. It may help to get away by ourselves. Jesus did that regularly and at times took his disciples with him. We may need to get some rest. We may need to read something different. We may need to spend time with His Word. We may need to talk with a counselor or close friend who can help us regain a healthier perspective.

Sometimes we simply experience the renewal of our minds. There are times when it just happens. You see a rainbow after a storm. You witness a beautiful sunset. You wake up early and sit outside as the sun rises. You take a walk by the ocean, or you hike through the mountain. You get a call from a close friend. You read a passage from Scripture that you have read hundreds of times, but this time you see something new and fresh and different. You hear a song. You hear a sermon. You sit quietly with your Bible in your lap asking God to “Show me something new.” You hold a baby in your arms. You attend a funeral. You read an article. There may be no explanation but it happens. Your mind is renewed. You have a fresh look on life. You feel refreshed, revived, and restored.

However it happens, when it happens you are convinced once again that God is on your side, that He loves you more than you love yourself, and He is working in your life and in your heart to transform your life, mind, and soul. And, you are once again confident that your life has meaning and purpose and value.

Father, renew our minds to see You more clearly.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:2,The Message)

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLT)

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 28 | July 15, 2013

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:2,The Message)

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLV)

What does it mean to be “be transformed?”

The best and most simple way to help you understand would be to have you read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

To be transformed means to be changed from what you once were to what you were created to be. It takes imagination to think about it. It takes patience to achieve. It takes God to make it happens.

Notice the text does not say, transform yourself. It does not say fix yourself. It does not say get yourself right.

It does say, “be transformed” (NIV). It does say “let God transform you into a new person” (NLV).

That is part of what makes it so hard, knowing we must depend on God to do it. Part of the reason we may get so frustrated with the transformation process is that the harder we try to make it happen, the less it seems to happen. We cannot make the transformation happen.

Our part is to accept God’s mercies, give our whole selves to Him, and allow Him to transform us by renewing our minds. We let Him change. We submit to His changes. We trust Him to change us as He sees appropriate.

We must understand that the transformation process is not always pleasant. Being transformed can be unpleasant. There may be times of silence, confusion, questioning, and pain.

As we are being transformed we look for progress. Are we becoming more “conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29)? Are we sounding more and more like Jesus when we talk? Are we responding more and more like Jesus to people in our circle of influence? Are we experiencing the peace and contentment that comes from submitting our wills to God?

When we endure. When we allow God to transform us we long for and rejoice in that moment when we realize the transformation has taken place. For the caterpillar it happens when he exits from his cocoon as a beautiful butterfly. For the follower of Jesus it happens when she comes out of the waters of baptism. It happens when he faces a temptation and comes away victorious. It happens when we find people are coming to us for spiritual advice.

It happens because we allow God, who knows how He made us, and knows how He has designed us, and reveals to us what we can be.

Is it time you surrendered to God and allowed Him to transform you? Give up trying to make it happen through your own efforts. Be transformed.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 27 | July 8, 2013

A fairly common conversation parents have with their children as they approach adolescence and during the teen years involves language that includes the danger of peer pressure.

Most conscientious parents want to make sure our children know how easy it is to be swayed by friends and companions, how difficult it is to resist a good friend when they try to talk them into doing something they know they should not do, and how important it is be a good positive influence on their friends and companions. We may even use a phrase like, “You don’t have to be like everybody else.” We may even throw in a good scripture to add some punch: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV) Or as we like to rephrase it: “Evil companions corrupt good morals.”

Our children may respond with a roll of the eyes as they groan and and say, “Dad, you can trust me.”

We do trust them. What we do not trust is how deceptive and persuasive the forces of evil can be…even on those who have a solid faith and a strong belief system. What we know (often from personal experience) is how easy it is to be lured away from the faithful path of following Jesus.

We know all too well how sad it is when a man who has walked with the Lord drifts into the ways of the world. We know the horrible destruction caused when a woman of considerable influence chooses to abandon the ways of God for a life of selfishness. Too often we have seen the pain created when a church leader becomes consumed by following material dreams to the neglect to the ways of the Spirit.

Paul sounds like a concerned parent when he writes to his spiritual children from the Christian community in Rome:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)”Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.” (Romans 12:2,The Message)

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLV)

It may be that this gentle nudge urging us to “not conform to the pattern of this world,” to not “become so well-adjusted to our culture,” and to resist the temptation to “copy the behavior and customs of this world” has come at just the right time. You are feeling the world squeezing you into its mold. You are feeling the pressure to abandon the life of a Jesus follower. Or, maybe you have become weary of living the life and are considering a new and different lifestyle that you feel fits better with that of your friends and companions.

I pray this will be a wake-up call. I pray that you will not abandon the walk of faith. I pray that you will stay the course. I pray that you will not conform, that you won’t get too comfortable with this world, and I pray that you will not get caught in the trap of trying to copy the behavior of the world.

If you have to, ask for help. If you need to, change your friends, or your work environment. And certainly do what Paul suggests: “be transformed by renewing your mind,” and “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

It is possible. He can transform you. Let Him. Do not be conformed. Please.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 | No. 26 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, New International Version)

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” (Romans 12:1, The New Living Translation)

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”(Romans 12:1, New American Standard)

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”(Romans 12:1, The Message)

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1, King James Version)

I shared these five different versions of this verse (and I consulted several others) because I was looking for the translation, paraphrase, or version that says that our worship only happens on Sunday morning in a pew inside a church building. I know it has to be there, I have heard it all my life. But where does it say that? Oh well.

If I understand this passage, worship happens when I give myself to God. If that is the case and if I have given myself to God, then it seems logical that my entire life is worship. I suppose that’s why Eugene Peterson (The Message) said, “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”

What does that mean? That means…

When you are at your job, driving to your job, listening to a co-worker share their pain about their struggling marriage you are worshipping.

When you are putting your children to bed, and fixing them breakfast, and driving them to school, or changing a diaper, or kissing a boo-boo you are worshipping.

When you are playing softball, or coaching little league, or sitting in the parking lot waiting for practice to end you are worshipping.

When you are teaching algebra, or repairing a carburetor, or preparing a meal for a sick friend you are worshipping.

When helping your mom carry in the groceries, or babysitting your little brother, or walking your dog you are worshipping.

When you are sitting alone on the beach, or hiking a mountain trail, or watching a sunset you are worshipping.

“Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life” and enjoy your life of wholehearted worship to God.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 25 | June 24, 2013

Life in the Kingdom begins when I give myself to God. One could be motivated to make the decision for any number of reasons: to go to heaven; to escape hell; because someone told you should do it. Paul gives another motivation: God’s mercy.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV)

“In view of God’s mercy.” Look at God’s mercy. What do you see? Think of God’s mercy. What comes to mind? Ponder God’s mercy, then give yourself to God.

God’s mercy: “A quality of compassion, especially as expressed in God’s forgiveness of human sin. Scripture stresses God’s forbearance towards sinners. In his mercy, God shields sinners from what they deserve and gives gifts that they do not deserve.” (Dictionary of Bible Themes)

In view of God’s compassion that is expressed in His forgiveness of human sin, give yourself to God.

Aaaaah! That makes sense. Not because you are forced to. Not out of guilt. Not to earn your way to heaven. Not to show that you deserve it. You give yourself to God because of what He has done for you.

“If God’s mercy in salvation has been presented in chapters 1–11, then the response of those receiving God’s mercy begins in chapter 12.” (Holman’s New Testament Commentary: Romans)

Although he phrased it a bit differently in Ephesians 2, Paul gives that church the same message:

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesian 2:1-5, NIV)

How else can we respond? Why would we respond any other way?

We were dead in our sins. He made us alive because He was rich in mercy. We were lost. He saved. We were far from Him. He brought us close.

When we think of the mercy God has shown toward us we want to give our hearts to Him. When someone loves us like He loves us we want to serve Him. When we have been rescued we want to express our gratitude as often as possible. When the Creator of the universe has shown His great mercy to us we fall before Him and say, “Here I am. I am Yours. Use me. Shape me into the image You have planned for me.”

Some time this week find a quiet place and spend a few minutes reflecting on God’s mercies. Thank Him for His great mercy. Rejoice with Him that He has been merciful. Praise Him for the forgiveness of your sins.

Then, if you have not already done so, give Him your life.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 24 | June 17, 2013

Where do you fit in the Body of Christ? Do you realize that you do have a place? Are there things you can do, or not do, that will help create or enhance the life you and others experience in your community of faith? Are you looking for ways to encourage your friends and family in their spiritual walk? Romans 12 is filled with practical, valuable teaching that can help all of us as we live in the Kingdom.

The teaching begins in verse one with these words:“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV)

“Offer your bodies.” This is where you start. This is the decision of a lifetime. Once this decision has been made all other decisions are made from a different perspective. Unless this decision is made all other decisions are made from a different perspective. It is an important decision.

Notice how Eugene Peterson states: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering.” (Romans 12:1, The Message)

“Place it before God as an offering.” Give yourself to God. All of yourself. Everything you have. Give Him your heart, soul, mind, strength, attitude, talent, vocation, reputation, and possessions.

That sounds like too much to ask, doesn’t it? If we will remember that all that we have with our “everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life” really does not belong to us it makes it easier. God is the Giver of life. He is the One who made us in His image, and is simply trying to help us get back to that image of Him. He longs for us to be like Him. We will never be like Him as long as we hold on to the things that we have come to believe are what make us significant.

He knows that real life comes when we surrender our will and the control of our lives to Him. As long as we pretend that we have the answers and can figure out what His will is on our own, we will never find it. His answers and the peace of knowing His will come when we allow Him to be in complete control.

“My heart, my mind, my body, my soul, I give, to You. Take control. I give my body a living sacrifice. Lord, take control. Take control.”

Would you like to have a better church? Give yourself to God. Would like to experience a deeper worship experience? Give yourself to God. Would you like to sense God’s presence in your life in new and fresh ways? Give yourself to God.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 23 | June 10, 2013

“What will I listen to?” That question is asked when I get in my car and drive to the office, when I head out to lunch, when I go across town, when I sit at my desk, when I am taking a walk, and back home at the end of the day. Listening to good music soothes my soul, calms my spirit, and helps relieve tension. Not all music is appropriate for all times and settings. Some days I like to turn the volume up with an “oldie but goodie.” Some days I prefer the calmer, quieter music of movie soundtracks. Some days I do not know what I want so I ask, “What will listen to?” Some days I prefer the quiet.

I also ask, “What, or whom, will I listen to?” in other settings that have nothing to do with music.

When making major decisions I have options when it comes to listening. There are those who tell me, “This is what you need to do.” There are those who tell me, “You do not want to do this!” Others will tell me to “wait”, while another will say, “Act fast!” Some offer the voice of reason; some offer ideas and solutions that are far-fetched and impossible to accomplish. Who will I listen to?

In dealing with relationships there is a vast number of messages longing to be heard. “This book says this.” “This expert says something entirely different.” The people involved in the relationship say one thing, and objective bystanders with nothing to lose say something else. What will listen to?

When it comes to work, success, and a fulfilling life there is no absence of choices when it comes to offering wisdom. Those who have gone before offer their life experiences. Those who have failed miserably offer their advice and make their excuses. Those who have never worked, never known success, and are looking for a similar fulfillment like to say, “Here is what you need to do.” What will I listen to?

The Scriptures are not silent on the importance of listening.

The wise man of Proverbs makes his case:

To answer before listening — that is folly and shame. (Proverbs 18:13)Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. (Proverbs 19:27)

In Luke’s account of Paul speaking to the intellectuals of his day he wrote:

“You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship — and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone — an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. (Acts 17:20-34)

Every day we have a choice about what we will listen to. The choice of music can determine a mood and perhaps alter our attitude. The voices of wisdom may determine the course of our lives and the direction of a relationship. What are you listening to? Who are you listening to? Be discerning. Be wise. Listen carefully. If you need to change the playlist, do not wait too long. It may determine how you live in this life and in the life to come. (Keep in mind, of course, this is just one option for you to choose from.)

Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:9)

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 22 | June 3, 2013

For the life of my two mobile devices (iPhone and iPad) I have had protective covers on both. I was afraid the beautiful clear glass would get scratched. After two years the cover on my iPhone got so scratched up that I decided to replace it with a new cover. Carefully, I peeled the old cover off with the new one nearby and ready.

Once the old cover was off I was absolutely amazed at how clear, clean, and fresh the phone looked. It looked almost brand new! I could hear Johnny Nash singing I Can See Clearly Now in the background. The protective cover went into the trash. Needless to say, the cover came off the iPad as well. What a difference it makes when you see remove the protective cover!

I wonder what other ways fear has caused me to apply a protective cover to create a distorted image and miss blessings that were available to me?

When I meet new people do I have a fear-filter that causes me to see and hear what others have said about them? Do I allow preconceived ideas and prejudices to determine how I react or respond to them? Do my defense mechanisms cause me to be defensive and cautious? Do my assumptions prevent me from seeing anything new about them?

Do I view my relationships through a protective coating? Never quite sure if people are genuine? Always wondering if they can be trusted? Or, do I put the protective cover over me so they do not see me as I really am? Am I afraid to let them see the real me? Do I do this (or try to do this) with God?

When I am in a strange place does the fear of what I have heard about that area cause me to be guarded and so cautious that I miss the beauty of what is right in front of me? Do I allow the fear of what may or may not happen paralyze me?

When problems, obstacles, and challenges confront me do I allow my fear of making a mistake to keep me from doing anything? Do I allow my fear of failure to keep me from experiencing a new adventure? Do my past experiences determine my future decisions?

What about when I read Scripture? Am I afraid that I might see something I have never seen? Am I afraid that a new understanding will force me to change not only my thinking, but also my lifestyle? Am I so concerned about maintaining the status quo that I ignore truths that I have never seen? Am I so concerned about offending someone that I refuse to acknowledge what God is saying to me? To them? To the church?

Of course there is a place and time to heed the warnings, to listen to those who caution us, and to refrain from ill-advised activity. But, fear can keep us from seeing truth when it is right in front of us. Fear can prevent us from doing good when we know we should act. Fear can blind us to blessings, opportunities, and life abundantly.

Fear is a killer! But, it does not have to be. Scripture says,

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:16-18, NIV)

Here is a suggestion: Take the protective cover off. Be confident in the God who created you. He has empowered you to not only know the difference between right and wrong, but to do right even in the face of wrong. He will give you answers. He will guide you wisdom. He will direct your steps.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 21 | May 27, 2013
Watch closely. Pay attention. Slow down. Take time. Life comes at us full force from the first breath and does not slow down until the last. There is no time to waste.

Scripture calls it “a vapor”.

Paul said, “Make the most of every opportunity.”

Jesus offers in “abundance.”

How many reminders do we need for us to get the message? Life happens fast!

Pull out your box of photos, or photo album, or pull up your photos on your computer and you will be amazed how quickly life has happened. “Where did that little girl go?” “How did he grow up so fast?” “Wow! He looks old!”

Watch the news. Another horrific tornado where lives were lost and property were destroyed in seconds. A plane goes down. An automobile accident on the Interstate. A shooting in the city. A murder in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods. A heart attack took the life of a young husband and father.

Life happens fast. It comes so fast that about the time we get comfortable in one phase of life we move into a different phase. We start feeling good being single, and suddenly we are talking marriage. Then, we work and work at being the best husband or the best wife and here come children. We feel like we get the parenting thing figured out, we are grandparents.

With life coming (and going) so fast how do we manage it? Here are a few things to remember.

Live today, not tomorrow or yesterday. Spend too much time looking ahead or behind and you will miss what is happening in the present. Jesus said, “Take no thought in tomorrow.” Paul said, “Forgetting what it behind I press on.”

Slow down. Try to eliminate hurry from your life. If you have small children try not to say, “Hurry up!” too many times. When you get on the freeway, drive the speed limit. When you are walking if you see something worth looking at, stop and look at it. Remind yourself that you have all the time you need to do what God wants us to do.

Enjoy the moment. When you work, work hard. When you rest, rest. When you are with friends, shut your phone off and be with your friends. When you are with your spouse, really be with her. When you are with your children, be with them.

Life happens fast, but it does not have to overwhelm us, we do not have to miss it, and we can enjoy it. God has given us life and life abundantly. We have the tools to live it at His pace and in His time and like He wants us to.

This week I hope you can receive the life God has planned for you and enjoy it to the fullest.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2013. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.