Articles by Tom Norvell at Heartlight

When You Need Wisdom

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind (James 1:5-6 NLT)

Father, give me wisdom as I begin this new day. Help me to use my time, the time You have allotted me, wisely, not wastefully.

Father, give me wisdom as I write these words. Please put words into my mind and allow them to flow into thoughts that are good news to the poor, that announce pardon to the imprisoned, recovery of sight to the blind, words that set the burdened and battered free, and words that announce, "This is God’s year to act!" (Luke 4:18-19 MSG).

Father, give me wisdom so that when I speak I will say things that are pure and clean and words that help and give life to those who listen.

Father, give me wisdom to lead my family in ways that help them walk closer to You. Give me wisdom to be the husband that honors my wife and allows her to be respectful of me. Give me wisdom to be the father that understands my children and helps to give them the confidence they need to fulfill the dreams You have placed in their hearts. Give me wisdom to love my daughter-in-law so she can have peace in her heart as a wife and a mother. Give me wisdom to love and protect my granddaughter so that she will grow strong and feel Your presence every day of her life. Give me wisdom to share the wisdom You give me with these special people so that they can be the people You want them to be.

Father, give me wisdom to counsel people who come to me for help. Give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent, when to be bold and when to be gentle, when to instruct and when to listen.

Father, give me the wisdom to know when to be angry, when to be sad, when to laugh, and when to cry. Give me the wisdom to know that forgiveness is always the right move. Give me the wisdom to always accept Your forgiveness and to realize I am worthless without it. Give me wisdom to depend on You as if my life depended on it, and the wisdom to realize that it does.

Father, give me wisdom to lead others in their walk with You. Give me the wisdom to preach and teach in ways that illustrate Your great and amazing love for us, and the wisdom to help others understand the living sacrifice that is appropriate and brings You pleasure. Give me the wisdom to live the words that I proclaim.

Father, give me wisdom to realize that when I ask for wisdom with confidence You will give it. And that unless I receive wisdom that comes from You I have no words worth hearing, no life worth imitating, and no wisdom worth sharing.

Father, there is no wondering "if" I need wisdom. I need wisdom. I need YOUR wisdom. Father, please give me wisdom.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

A Temporary Dwelling

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

You splurged when you made your mini-vacation accommodations in a very nice hotel. From the minute you enter the lobby you realize this is a first class place. Smiling faces greet you and welcome you. Well-groomed and well-trained employees assure you that meeting your every need and making sure your stay is as pleasant as possible is their first priority. Your room is immaculate. Every accessory has obviously been selected with a purpose and it serves that purpose. The towels are thick and absorbent. There are plenty of hangers in the closet next to the monogrammed robe. You have a beautiful view of the city from your window. You have selected a magnificent place to spend a few days and nights. When they slid the bill under the door you are reminded that this is a temporary dwelling.

You looked forward to this trip for many years. The whole family is gathering. It has been years since everyone has been able to be in the same place at the same time. There is laughter. There are stories from the past. Pictures are taken to preserve the moment. As you begin to talk about making plans for the next gathering you realize that this same group will likely never be together again. You are reminded that this is a temporary dwelling.

Your cabin is rustic and weathered. You intentionally selected a secluded place for this retreat. It is quiet. The mountain-view is spectacular. With a mug of hot coffee in one hand and the book you have been looking forward to reading in the other you seat yourself in the chair on the balcony listening to the birds sing and the river flow. You take a deep breath as you feel all the cares and anxieties of your life gently shifting to a place far, far away. You take a deep breath and relax. The days pass too quickly and you realize that this is a temporary dwelling.

You are a long way from home. You know you are there for a purpose and while you are there you are determined to fulfill that purpose. You see it as your mission. The language is different. The food is different. The methods of transportation are different. The culture is different. Everything is different from what you are familiar. You feel more homesick that you have ever felt. You get an email from your family. The email reminds you that this is a temporary dwelling.

Your annual check-up seemed to come early this year. It seems like it has been only a few weeks since your last one. Has it really been a year? The conversation with your doctor includes phrases like: "You are not as young as you once were" and "you have no business climbing up on that ladder," and "I think the stress of your job has taken a toll. It may be time to think about slowing down a bit." As you walk toward the lab with a cup in your hand you are reminded this is a temporary dwelling.

You watch as your son and your daughter-in-law work together to get their brand new daughter (your granddaughter) dressed in her little outfit that seems to have an unbelievable amount of snaps. It does not seem so long ago that you and your wife were working together as you learned to care for your son. As you allow your imagination to run wild, you get way ahead of yourself as you daydream about what life will be like when this granddaughter has her own family. As you snap back into reality you are reminded that this is a temporary dwelling.

More times than I can count I have joined in as John Denver sang:

The days they pass so quickly now,
Nights are seldom long.
And time around me whispers when it's cold.
The changes somehow frighten me,
Still I have to smile.
It turns me on think of growing old.
(Poems, Prayers and Promises, 1971.)

(see this video here: http://hlt.me/vAvfyk)

The Psalmist wrote:

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12 NIV).

Chris Rice shares the same message:

Teach us to count our days. Teach us to make our days count ("Life Means So Much").

(see this beautifully done video here: http://hlt.me/s1EQXB)

James said it this way:

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:13-15 NIV).

On a daily basis we are faced with the reality that we exist on this earth in a temporary dwelling. In the blink of an eye the world changes, days turn into years, and the blessings from God continue to flow. Life means so much. Treasure each moment. Live everyday to the fullest. What you do with this day is extremely important. Focus on the important things. Your relationship with God. Your family. Your legacy. Sharing your faith stories. You do not know how much time you have. Remember this is a temporary dwelling.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

Amazing Things Are Happening Here!

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The sign outside the New York hospital reads: "Amazing Things Are Happening Here." Truer words were never spoken. Amazing things were happening.

But, I am getting a little ahead of myself. For this first time grandfather, the last nine months have brought many amazing things. It began with a question from our son and daughter-in-law: Are you ready to be grandparents? As the news spread to friends and family other questions followed.

QUESTION: Will you go New York when the baby is born?

ANSWER: Absolutely!

QUESTION: Do they know whether it is a boy or a girl?

ANSWER: They know it is a baby.

QUESTION: Do they have names?

ANSWER: They do but they are not telling.

QUESTION: What do you want to be called?

ANSWER: I really don't care as long as I'm called. Maybe Papa.

QUESTION: Are you excited?

ANSWER: Are you kidding me? How can I not be excited? My son and his wife are having a baby. Yes, I am excited! Out of my head excited!

Then, something amazing happened.

You see, I spotted the sign as we stood outside the hospital waiting for a taxi to take us back to the apartment after having spent the day waiting for the arrival of our granddaughter. Amazing things were happening.

For nine months they were the mother-to-be and the dad-to-be. For nine months schedules were altered to accommodate the sickness and the discomfort. Plans were altered. More rest was needed. More care was taken. Normal activities were no longer normal. There were days of extreme excitement and there were days of intense anxiety about the future. Then, something amazing happened.

Nine months is a long time to wait and wonder, to anticipate and speculate, to wish and to pray, and to answer questions. Is it a boy or a girl? Do you know? Do you want to know? How big is he or she? Which do you hope it is? How much weight have you gained? What is your due date? Have you picked out a name? What is the name? Who is your doctor? How are you feeling? Oh, don't forget: What do you think about this, Daddy? Nine months of hoping for good health and a safe delivery. Then, something amazing happened.

As the due date came and passed more adjustments were made. More questions were asked. More waiting. A new date was set. The anxiety grew. The days got longer. The waiting continued. Then, something amazing happened.

The message was sent: "Heading to the hospital soon." Flights were cancelled. New flights were booked. Amazing things happened.

After months of waiting, it came down to hours of waiting and wondering and hoping and praying. "Lord, please let us get there in time." "Lord, please keep them safe." "Lord, please take care of them." Then, something amazing happened.

For several hours the mother labored as the daddy comforted and reassured. The pain grew more intense (so I'm told). Minutes turned into hours. Then, an amazing thing happened. Isabel Taylor was born. She made her appearance. She was safe. Mom was safe. Dad was thrilled. She was healthy. She is beautiful. She is perfect. She is amazing. Amazing things were happening.

When I saw my daughter-in-law's face as she held her daughter and lovingly looked at her baby, I saw no signs of frustration because of the months of carrying the baby. I saw no regret over the pain she had just gone through. I saw peace. I saw complete contentment. Something amazing happened here.

When I saw my son I saw joy in eyes; I heard the excitement in his voice, and I felt his delight that he had done exactly what he needed to do, and that he was exactly where God wanted him to be. I saw no fatigue. I saw sheer peace and contentment. Something amazing happened here.

When I held my granddaughter for the first time and looked at her through my tear-filled eyes, I saw a miracle of God. I saw beauty. I saw perfection. I saw love. Something amazing happened here.

The Proverb reads:

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children (Proverbs 17:6 NIV).

The sign outside the New York hospital reads: "Amazing Things Are Happening Here."

You have no idea!

God is amazing! Life is amazing! Being married is amazing! Being a parent is amazing! Being Papa to a beautiful granddaughter ... well, we are only beginning to learn just how amazing that is.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

The Home Stretch

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The home stretch is the last part of a long or difficult activity. The home stretch is that part of any trip when you realize you are almost home. Your travels are almost over, the project is almost completed, the treatment is almost done, the baby is almost here, and your degree is almost in hand. To be in the home stretch is a good feeling.

I do not know how it is for you but when I am traveling and get in the home stretch it is hard to slow down. I want to put the pedal to the metal and move on down the road. I want to get home. I cannot get there fast enough.

Teachers may feel the home stretch when they get into the last few weeks of school. Football teams may feel the home stretch when they are in the fourth quarter with a big lead. The business professional may feel the home stretch when they have checked out of their hotel, finished their last meeting, and headed to the airport. The physician may not feel the home stretch until she has seen her last patient of the day. The bride and groom may not feel the home stretch until they are walking down the aisle to begin the ceremony. Wherever we feel it, the home stretch is a wonderful feeling.

These passages in the New Testament remind us what we have to look forward to as we enter the home stretch of our spiritual journey.

The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) surely felt the home stretch when he "came to his senses" and took the first step toward home. He felt it more fully when he looked up and saw his father running toward him with open arms.

There will come a time when we will be nearing the finish of our race and as we do we will hear the cheers of the "great cloud of witnesses" gathered and waiting for us to join in the celebration:

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect (Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV).

We are all on a journey. At times our journey will be enjoyable and at times the journey will be difficult and filled with sadness. We will reach a point where the end is in sight. At some point we will be in the home stretch. With images similar to those above circling in our minds, we will be ready to get there as fast as possible. The difficulties of the journey will quickly fade as we see the open arms of our Father. The joys of the journey will fade in comparison to the celebration we will experience as we are greeted by those who have been waiting for us.

In every journey there is a time when we realize we are in the home stretch. The miles we have traveled are unimportant. The cost of the journey will not matter. Our only concern is making it home. Keep traveling. Keep looking toward home.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

He Did Not Retaliate

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

When the guy cut across two lanes of traffic without any sort of a turn signal, while he was talking on his phone, you wanted to honk your horn and let him know without a doubt that you saw what he did. You are convinced that he looked in his mirror and saw that it was you and intentionally tried to ruin your day. If you get the chance, you will let him have it.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When the young guy in the car pulled up behind you while you were stopped at the light, he had the bass on his stereo so loud that your windows were vibrating. You wanted to stick your head out the window and yell, “What makes you think everyone in this part of town wants to listen to your music?” He probably could not hear you if you did.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When a co-worker publicly humiliated you with an unusually critical comment about a decision you had made, you wanted to fire back at him with an equally ugly comment about how this man made his own share of mistakes, and beside that he has a mustard stain on his tie.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When you were greeted first thing on Monday morning by an email from your supervisor pointing out a typo in the project you had sent her, you wanted to respond with an email of your own highlighting every typo she had ever made in every email she had ever sent you.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When your wife offered an alternative route to your destination, you wanted to remind her that she was in the passenger seat and you were in the driver’s seat.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When your idea falls flat as a pancake in the team meeting, you wanted to remind them of your title and your years of experience.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When your neighbor got upset because of something that a visitor in your home had done, you want to ask him, “Well, who died and made you boss of the neighborhood.”

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When you realized that your playing partner had not counted all his strokes on the last hole, which meant he had a better score, you wanted to remind him that golf is a gentleman’s game for men of integrity … like you.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When your wife revealed that she has had an affair, you felt so betrayed that you wanted to tell her to leave the house, and words cannot describe what you would like to do to the man she had the affair with.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When you learned that your business partner has lied to you, cheated you, and put the future of your company in jeopardy, you wanted to take him to court and sue him for everything you can. You wanted to ruin him.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When you discovered that people you loved and respected had been spreading vicious ugly rumors about you and your family, you wanted to go public with what you know about them and set the record straight once and for all.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When the less qualified new employee got the promotion that you had been working for, and hoping for, you wanted to do everything you could to make her life miserable and prove it was a mistake.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:23_24 NIV).

In this life we will be treated poorly, we will be overlooked, we will be betrayed, we will be lied to, we will be taken advantage of, and many times it will seem that life is unfair and it is our duty to set it right. Many in this world would applaud the action of retaliation and revenge and assure us that we are justified in everything. It happens every day. Some would say, “It is the only way to survive and not get run over.” But, Jesus is our example and

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate."

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

Think Differently

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Steve Jobs resigned recently after 14 years as Apple's CEO. Jobs literally changed the world of computers, technology, and communication by introducing us to the iMac desktop computer in 1998, the iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007, and the iPad in 2010. The iTunes Music Store came along in 2003 and has become the top music retailer in the USA. Under his leadership, Apple rallied from a company in ruins in 1997 to now sitting on a cash reserve of more than $76 billion (MacWorld).

His commitment to creative innovation and marketing is as much a trademark as the apple logo prominently displayed on their products. Their commitment to think differently, to "think different" as the Cuppertino mantra goes. This mindset is evident in this early "Think Different" commercial (http://hlt.me/qHVhcZ on YouTube).

This commitment to think differently is one of the things I appreciate most about the legacy Jobs left. He thought differently, and encouraged others to think differently. Because of the willingness to think differently and act on those thoughts, Jobs and Apple helped change the world.

Although Jobs will be remembered for his technical and marketing genius, he was not the first to suggest that we "Think Different."

Two thousand years earlier as Jesus trained His disciples to change their world, He told them that they, too, must think differently.

Once, after a dispute among his disciples over who would get the seats of honor in the new kingdom, Jesus told them:

"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 10:42-45 NIV 1984).

Did you get it? "Not so with you." It's as if Jesus is saying, "You will have to 'Think Different' if you are going to be my disciples."

He also used phrases like: "You must become like little children" (Matthew 18:3), and, "The first will be last and the last will be first" (Matthew 20:16). Jesus is teaching us to think differently! Then there is that word repent that calls us to both think and act differently! This was Jesus' message from the very beginning of his preaching ministry:

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15 NIV).

So what if we applied this think differently mindset to church and ministry? If we are to truly "think different," then ...

Our ministries will be more about helping people who have nothing to offer us and less about how to satisfy our own desires.

Our worship assemblies will be more focused on the God who really is instead of the God we want Him to be.

Our money will be spent in ways that will help get us into the community and less on how to get the community to come to us.

We do not have to have things our way all the time.

We will not be concerned about getting the credit for a good work, but instead will simply find joy in doing the good work.

We will remember that a little child is our model for what it means to be in the Kingdom of God.

We will realize that giving really is better than receiving.

We will understand that forgiveness is not optional.

We remember that vengeance is God's business, not ours.

We know that pleasing God is more important than being popular, famous, or important.

If we allow Jesus to teach us to think differently, we might not change the whole world, but we will likely change the world for at least one!

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

We Need Rest

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place (Mark 6:30-32 NIV).

Sounds like us, doesn't it? We go live our lives and come together from time to time and "report all that we have done." We stay so busy sometimes we don't even have a chance to eat. Jesus would probably say the same thing to us that He said to His disciples: "Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest."

We need rest. We seem to have made being tired a fine art. We know how to wear ourselves out. Without meaning to we seem to be living life at such a pace that leaves very little time for physical rest, and almost no time for the soul rest that Jesus was encouraging. It appears to be one of the characteristics of our age and our culture. We almost celebrate and take pride in being tired.

We go on elaborate and expensive vacations hoping to find rest, only to come home wishing we had another week to recover from our vacation. We work hard day and night. We are sleep deprived, stressed-out, tensed-up, drained and thinking that we'll eventually get to a place in life where we can stop the madness and rest. But it seldom comes. "Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest." With those words Jesus revealed that He knew his disciples then very well. Our tired faces, weary bodies, and worn-out spirits reveal that He knows us just as well.

David speaks of finding rest:

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down -- this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: "Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love"; and, "You reward everyone according to what they have done" (Psalm 62:1-12 NIV).

In another place in the gospels Jesus reminds us that He knows we need rest. At that time Jesus said:

I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:24-30 NIV).

Three simple and important messages emerge from these passages.

Real rest comes only from God.
Jesus said, "I will give you rest." The Psalmist said: "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him." "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." We may search for it in other things and in other places, but real rest ... real refreshment of the soul ... comes from God.

God is able to handle our load.
The Psalmist said, "Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love." Jesus said, "All things have been committed to me by my Father." Since He has all power, our problems, our questions, our struggles, our hurts, our weariness is not too much for Him.

Jesus invites us to find rest for our souls.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Rest is waiting for us. He is inviting us to rest in Him and with Him.

You look like you could use some rest. Or, am I looking in the mirror. He wants to give us rest for our weary souls. He is inviting you to lay your burdens down.

We need rest. Our rest is in Him.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the Hermitage Church of Christ in Hermitage, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note