Articles by Tom Norvell at Heartlight

I've Got Nothing!

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Lord, I've got nothing!

My mind is jumbled with thoughts that range from excitement, hope, and anticipation, to confusion, discouragement, and frustration. I am amazed at the way things have happened in the past, and I wonder what sort of things will happen in the future. I dwell on the mistakes I have made, and I marvel the mistakes You have helped me avoid.

Lord, I've got nothing!

I read Your word and I understand that You direct my path and that Your Word lights the path that I walk. Yet, there are times when I am afraid to take another step. I read of how You have delivered Your servants from all types of disaster and calamity, and I realize that I have often been a recipient of that deliverance. I read of how You hear me when I have no words and answer me before I speak.

Lord, I've got nothing!

I look ahead of me to the tasks on my calendar for the week and wonder how I will ever get it all done. I don't have the energy. I don't have the desire. I don't have the motivation. Then, I look back and see all the things that You enabled me to do last week when I had just as little energy, desire and motivation.

Lord, I've got nothing!

People ask me questions for which I have no answers. People come to me for advice as I go to others for advice. People look to me for wisdom and knowledge as I come to you for wisdom and knowledge.

Lord, I've got nothing!

I am tired. I am weak. I am worn. I am a struggler. I am a sinner. I am a child. I am a human. I have questions. I have fears. I have temptations. I have pride. I am self-conscious. I am selfish. At times I am a mess.

I cry out to You, Lord, and I confess that I have nothing! As my cries grow silent I hear You say:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3 NIV).

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39).

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)

You remind of what Paul said so long ago to others like me:

I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Lord, I have nothing! But, when I stop, listen, and hear Your voice I realize I have You, and You know me, and You have me. That's all I need.

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

Website: A Norvell Note

I Think I Am ...

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Confession: I like shoes. There, I've said it. I'm a shoe person.

Several years ago I found a pair of shoes that I loved. The way they fit is the way a pair of shoes ought to fit. The way they look on my feet is the way I want a pair of shoes to look. After wearing them for a while I discovered that they aged the way a pair of shoes ought to age. After wearing them for a while longer I began to look at other styles made by the same company. They are too expensive for me to pay full price so I began to watch for sales. Really good sales!

Eventually I purchased a second pair that I enjoyed just as much as the first. About that time I decided that I would know I was rich when I could have a pair of that brand of shoe in each color that I wear regularly. Dark brown, black, tan, etc. Recently, during a prayer (another confession: my eyes were open), I noticed my shoes and realized that I'm rich. Some have been re-soled and re-heeled a number of times. They still wear very well.

So, I think I'm rich.

That's quite a realization in this day of limited budgets, benefit cutbacks, layoffs, and reduced retirement funds. I don't know where the money we'll need to retire will come from. I don't have the money to write a check to pay my daughter's college tuition. I cannot afford tickets to the Final Four in the NCAA Basketball tournament, or the Masters, or the NBA Championship. But, I think I'm rich.

My feet are covered with very fine leather products. My body is clothed with clean, comfortable, and high quality clothes. My refrigerator is full of healthy and not so healthy food. My car has good tires, gets routine maintenance, and I can afford to put fuel in it whenever needed. Though I cannot afford to attend the sporting events mentioned above, I am able to watch them on a very nice television while sitting in a very comfortable chair. I guess I'm rich.

With those thoughts and confessions I often find myself praying this prayer:

Two things I ask of you, O 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)

Father, thank you for blessing me so richly.

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

Website: A Norvell Note

Get Our Hopes Up

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0600

I tell myself, "It's not going to happen." But, I still get my hopes up.

Every time the weather forecasters start calling for snow, I get my hopes up. I know I'm writing this on March 1st and spring flowers are waiting to bloom, but I love snow. I'm sorry for those who have to work out in the cold and snow. But, I love snow! I love watching it fall. I love the beauty of it lining the trees. I love the quietness of it. I love the peacefulness of it.

So, last week when the local meteorologist began saying, "Look out for Saturday night!" I did. I told myself, "Don't get your hopes up. It's not going to snow." But, they kept saying, "Don't be surprised when you wake up tomorrow morning there's going to be more snow than you expected." So, I waited as the cold rain turned to sleet and sure enough, before I went to bed, it was really snowing. That's when I abandoned all skepticism, falling to sleep fully assured that there would be several inches of snow on the ground when I woke.

NOT! We got a "dusting." That's what the folks further east of us were supposed to get. The folks west of us got from 3-10 inches. We got a "dusting." Apparently the weather predictors do not know how active my imagination is. When I think of getting more snow than I am expecting, I expect more than a "dusting."

God's wisdom says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" (Proverbs 12:12 NIV). That's me. I always get my hopes up. When it doesn't happen my heart gets sick. But, when the longing is fulfilled it is like a tree of life.

I know some of you are saying, "Are you some kind of nut? It's March 1! It's not supposed to snow on March 1!" Well, it has before. Why not today? After all, that's what they said. That's what I expected.

I'm sure as the day goes on I will understand why being disappointed over not getting a huge snow is not the worst thing that could happen. There are probably some who would say, "You want snow? You can have it!" Others might say, "Grow up, man!" One or two may even say, "It's not a big deal." But, to this childlike heart it is a big deal ... for a few minutes ... for this morning. I thought it was going to snow and I got my hopes up. I'll get over it. In fact, writing this has been very therapeutic. Thanks for letting me share my heart with you. Thank you for listening.

There will be other things that disappoint me in this life. There will be other predictions. I always get my hopes up. But, there will one day when my hopes will not be deferred. One day my dream will come true. One day I will no longer be heartsick. That's when my longings will be ultimately fulfilled. That's when I will see the Lord in all His glory. That's when all broken hearts will be mended. That's when there will be no more farewells. That's when we will all be together forever. That's when we will finally be home. I feel confident that I can get my hopes as high as I possibly can, and I know that I will not be disappointed because the One who is our hope has promised that He is preparing the room.

[Jesus said,] "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking" (John 14:1-4 MSG).

We can get our hopes up.

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

Website: A Norvell Note

God Has a Plan for Us

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will -- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:3-12 NIV).

Four times in this passage there is a reference to God having a plan for us: "he chose us," "he predestined us," "he purposed," and "we were also chosen." Four times we are given His plan for us: "to be holy and blameless in his sight," "to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ," to make known "the mystery of his will," and "that we ... might be for the praise of his glory."

He chose us. We were chosen. He has a plan for us.

We know what it means to be chosen. As children we were chosen to be on a team, we were chosen to participate in a school play, or we were chosen to be in the spelling bee. Later we were chosen to be someone's boyfriend or girlfriend, we were chosen to be a speaker at graduation, or we were chosen to be in a social club. Then, as adults we are chosen to be a marriage companion, we were chosen to be a partner in business, or chosen to lead an organization. All of those have their place, but none of them compare to being chosen by God to bring Him glory and praise.

He chose us because He has a plan for us. He did not choose us to sit the bench. He did not choose us to stand in the wings. He did not choose us so we could sit around and twiddle our thumbs wondering why we were chosen. He chose us with a purpose, for a purpose, and with a plan for us.

He chose us to make a difference in the world. He chose us to do good works. He chose us to love people and share His love with them. He chose us to serve people. He chose us to worship Him. He chose us to live abundant lives. He chose us to demonstrate His mercy and compassion to people who are hurting. He chose us to shine His light into the darkness. He chose us to reveal the mystery of the cross. He chose to receive His love. He chose us with a plan.

God has a plan for you. Did you know that? He wants you to live His plan for you. Will you? Are you?

God created you. He has a plan for your life. Celebrate His plan! Follow His plan. Enjoy His plan.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

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

Website: A Norvell Note

Because We Are Human

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Because we are human we cannot understand the things that happen in life. We do not understand why young people die. We cannot understand why good people suffer. We cannot understand why hurricanes destroy neighborhoods, why tornadoes blow away homes, and floods wash away dreams. We cannot understand why diseases shorten lives. Because we are human we struggle to make sense of the twists and turns, the ups and downs, and the ins and outs of life.

Because we are human we cannot see the future. We do not know what lies ahead. We do not always understand or learn from the past. We see only a part of the picture. We often only hear what we want to hear. We forget that God has plans for us.

Because we are human we cannot see God's wisdom for taking us down a path filled with struggle, pain, and disappointment. We cannot imagine the blessings that God has in store for us when we trust Him to lead us. Because we are human we try to explain why God does what He does when He does and how He does it. We try, but we cannot explain it.

Because we are human we complicate things that were intended to be simple. We complicate life, we complicate worship, and we complicate relationships. We complicate forgiveness, we complicate faith, and we complicate grace.

Because we are human we cannot make ourselves holy. We cannot remove the sin in our life. We cannot get life right no matter how we try. We cannot do everything exactly right all the time. When we mess up we cannot make it right.

Because we are human we cannot see God clearly. We are blinded by our sin. We are blinded by our lack of imagination. We are blinded by our determination to make God look like us.

Because we are human we cannot fathom God's love. We cannot imagine why God would want to rescue us from our sin. We cannot understand how God could love us. We cannot grasp a God who would love us so much that He would sacrifice His Son for our sins.

Because we are human God sent His Son to dwell among us:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14 ESV).

Because we are human God gave His one and only Son:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Because we are human God is preparing a place for us:

[Jesus said] Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going (John 14:1-4).

Because we are human God understands our need for a Savior. Because we are human ... Jesus.

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

Website: A Norvell Note

Is It Really Over?

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years. They had watched Him perform His miracles, witnessed His encounters with the religious leaders, and experienced His kind and compassionate nature. They had asked Him questions and heard His answers. They had seen Him walk on water and disappear into the mountains. They had been shocked when they found Him talking with a woman from Samaria, and perturbed with Him when He took too much time with children.

For three years they dreamed with Him about the coming Kingdom, even though their images of the future were quite different. They had envisioned positions of power and prestige, but He had reminded them that their role should be that of a servant. The disciples had given up their homes, jobs, and ambitions to follow this One who promised to use them to change the world.

Then, as they stood by paralyzed by fear, He was arrested. He was accused of blasphemy. He was tried and convicted. He was beaten and tortured and ridiculed and humiliated. He was crucified. He died. He was buried.

In those quiet difficult moments after His death, surely they struggled with what they had seen, with what they had done, and what they had not done. Questions and doubt must have filled their minds.

"We thought ... "

"What about ... "

"Why ... "

"We expected ... "

"We hoped ... "

"Is it really over?"

Within a few hours most of us will see the end of the year (if it has not already occurred where you are). With the turn of a page on the calendar, and the tick of the clock, the old year will be gone and a new year will be ushered in. As the transition takes place some of us will be disappointed with the way things have turned out during the last twelve months. Some will be amazed that the year has gone so rapidly. Some will be filled with regret. Some will be relieved.

"We thought we would have been better off financially."

"We meant to work less and spend more time with our family."

"We intended to get more involved in our church."

"We expected to make more progress on our marriage relationship."

"We hoped ... "

"We wish ... "

"Is it really over?"

There is good news.

As the disciples struggled with their questions, doubts, and regrets they received the greatest news they could have ever imagined. "The tomb is empty! He is alive!"

As we deal with all the things that we should have done, could have done, wish we had done, and ought to have done, the news is also good: "Happy New Year!" We get another chance.

The year has ended, but your life is not over! It's a new year. Make the most of it.

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

Website: A Norvell Note

It's Almost Time ...

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

It's Christmas Eve. It's almost time ... The family will soon gather. Moms and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts, uncles, cousins and all the children will be gathering tonight to share the joy of this special season. Gifts have been purchased with great care, wrapped and are about to be opened. There is a bit of anxiety in the air because we want them to like what we're giving. There is peace and joy over being together. It's Christmas Eve. It's almost time.

It's Christmas Eve. It's almost time ... The children are in bed. Finally they have gone to sleep. They have given up the battle to stay awake until Santa comes. They have placed the cookies and milk and their note to Santa in the designated place. In just a few hours they will awaken eager to open their gifts. It's Christmas Eve. It's almost time.

It's Christmas Eve. It's almost time ... Now that the children are asleep you can go to the attic, the trunk of the car, under your bed, the storage building in the back yard, and all the other secret hiding places you have used for those things you've been hiding for months. You have bikes to assemble, batteries to install, and wrapping to finish. And, somehow find a power tool that will cut through the hard plastic packaging that encases almost everything you buy without getting so agitated that you disturb the neighbors. The hour is late. You're really tired, but the thrill of seeing their faces when they come down the stairs keeps you going for as long as it takes. It's Christmas Eve. It's almost time.

It's Christmas Eve. It's almost time ... we are anxious and excited and hopeful and ready and nervous and scared and all those other emotions we feel when we anticipate something big is about to happen. Unlike the children, we know what is about to happen. We know the thrill of seeing our children receive the longings of their heart. We know it's Christmas Eve. We know it's almost time.

Do you suppose that God, on the eve before He sent His one and only Son into the world, experienced some of the same emotions or had any of the same thoughts that we have on Christmas Eve. He knew what was about to happen. Will they love my Son? Will they realize how much thought has gone into this? Will they appreciate the sacrifice I am making? Will they have any idea of the value of this gift? What will they do with what I am giving them? Was He experiencing any of these thoughts during those centuries of silence?

Whether God felt those things or not, I do not know, and I do not presume to make Him like me. What I do know is that He knew the right gift. He knew what we needed. He knew that some would accept the Son and love Him, and He knew that some would despise and reject Him. He knew what was ahead. He knew it was about time.

Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:10-12 NIV).

It's Christmas Eve. It's almost time. Enjoy the gift.

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

Website: A Norvell Note