Articles by Tom Norvell at Heartlight

Beyond the Clouds

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600

After three days of beautiful autumn weather in New York City, I headed to the airport on a cold cloudy and gray morning. By the time I arrived at the airport, heavy rain had begun to fall. The walls of glass in the waiting area were soon fogged up and covered with blowing rain as the weather changed from beautiful to gloomy.

It was still raining when I boarded my flight. I took my window seat and looked out to see one last view of the city. There was only a faint vision of the New York skyline and memories of the beauty of the previous day. We taxied out to the runway and within seconds after liftoff the images of the city were hidden behind a sea of thick dark clouds.

As we continued to climb, the darkness began to brighten, and within a short time we were above the clouds. Below us was a light fluffy blanket of clouds. All around us was nothing but blue sky and sunshine. In my head, I could hear Willie Nelson singing, "Blue skies; nothing but blue skies ..."

Then I had one of those "Duh!" moments: beyond the clouds the sun always shines! No matter what the weather is down below, when we are able to see above and beyond the clouds, we realize that the sun always shines and the skies are always blue.

Sitting there peering out the window at the clouds below and surrounded by sunshine and blue skies -- and yes, under my breath I was singing "Blue skies and rainbows and sun beams from heaven ..." -- I was reminded of the scene on the mountain when Peter, James and John were with Jesus on the mountain:

Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus (Mark 9:7-8 NIV).

There was the cloud. Then, there was God.

These words of Jesus also came to mind:

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NIV).

Perhaps Jesus was telling us that there will be times in our lives when all we can see with our eyes are clouds, but if we will keep looking with our hearts, if we will search beyond the clouds, then we will see Him.

Perhaps He is speaking to you.

Your vision is clouded by the sadness of losing a loved one, or what appears to be inevitable loss of a loved one. Will you keep looking above and beyond the cloud? He is there.

Your world is darkened by a marriage that appears to be falling apart, or a marriage characterized by apathy and disrespect from your partner, or a marriage that seems hopelessly lost to busy schedules and an over-commitment to climb the ladder of success. Will you look beyond the clouds? He is there. He can help.

The cloud of a life filled of dishonesty, deceit, cover-ups, and pretense engulfs your life. Will you look beyond the cloud? He is there. He can help. He wants to help.

Your family is completely covered with a cloud heartache, loss, and grief. Will you look beyond the cloud? He is there. He can help. He wants to help. He understands your pain.

Your future is hidden by a cloud of hopelessness due to a past of broken dreams, failures, and disappointment. Will you look beyond the cloud? He is there. He can help. He wants to help. He understands your pain. He can give you a new dream.

In this life there will be clouds. But, take heart. He has risen above the clouds. He is there. He invites you to rise above the clouds with Him. You can see him ... if you'll look beyond the clouds.

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

Website: A Norvell Note

Living Abundantly

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

I recently made a trip to visit my son and daughter-in-law in New York City. A trip to the Big Apple typically involves at least one Broadway show, some sort of sporting event, a stroll through Central Park (or one of the other beautiful parks in the city), maybe a museum, possibly a visit to an art gallery, photographs at the well-known landmarks, maybe a celebrity citing, shopping, indulgence of the taste buds, and several stops at the local coffee shops.

Prior to leaving home, it's not unusual to plan the details of trips to the city days or even weeks in advance to insure that you make the best use of your time.
This visit was no different. One day was spent with family casually enjoying meals together and walking through areas of the city we had not previously visited. The second day included a more extensive tour of the area and a professional basketball game. The third day was dedicated to visiting some of the most scenic parts of the city, taking in a play, dinner, and a movie. Of course, each outing has been documented with photographs and involved at least some time spent simply watching people.

It was during those walks through the city that I was reminded of these words of Jesus:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10, NIV).

As I sat in the middle of one of the most famous spots of the city, Times Square, enjoying the experience of a beautiful autumn day, I thanked God for the life He has given me, and I asked myself what makes this trip so special?

That is when I was reminded of at least three thoughts that had been floating around in my head that helped create fertile soil for this "abundant life" experience:

There's so little time.

There's so much to see and do.

I may never have this same opportunity.

My pondering progressed as I considered how the quality of life in general might be improved if the same three attitudes that had dominated my thinking during this mini-vacation were applied to each new day. I have concluded that it would drastically change the way I live. It might do the same for you.

Suppose we start each new day telling ourselves, "There's so little time." We cannot waste time on things that do not matter. We must get busy with the things that do matter. We don't have time to waste with our "foolish and stupid arguments" (2 Timothy 2:23). We don't have time to waste making sure we get our way. We don't have time to waste worrying about all the things we cannot do anything about. We must stop waiting for that apology that may never come. There's so little time. It's time to enjoy what God has given us, enjoy His blessings, enjoy His creation, and enjoy each other.

"There's so much to see and do." God has created a wonderful world and He wants us to experience it, enjoy it, and marvel at it. "This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24 RSV). He wants us to keep our eyes open to what He is doing in us, around us, for us, about us, with us, and with those we know and love. He wants us to be busy with telling His story and sharing His glory. There is too much to see and do to sit around wishing we had something enjoyable to do. It's time to get busy.

"We may never have this same opportunity." There are some things that we do only once in our lifetime. Some conversations will take place only once. Encounters with some people will only happen one time. Many opportunities will pass our way only once. We will have only one opportunity to make a life-giving connection with some people. We will have only one opportunity to tell some people what God has done for us. We may have only one opportunity to ask certain people if they know God. The opportunities to be with our children and express our love for them, share our dreams for them, and help them develop their own vision for life, will come quickly and be gone. We may have only one opportunity to teach them to be kind, to be loving, to share, and to care for other people. It is true that we may never have this same opportunity again. We need to take advantage of it while we can. "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time ..." (Ephesians 4:15-16 RSV).

Today starts a new day, a new week, a new part of your life, and it gives us a new opportunity to live life to the fullest ... to live abundantly. Will you? There's so little time. There is so much to see and do. We may never have this opportunity again. Think it. Share it. Live it. Enjoy 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

All Who Are Weary

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Jesus offers us these words of comfort and invitation:

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 was your good pleasure.

"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 11:25-30 NIV).

Father, there are some weary people on this planet. Good people. Sincere people. People of faith. People who long to please You. People who love You with all their heart and soul and mind and strength. People who are committed to being good and doing good. Your people. There are some weary people in this world.

Father, there are some burdened people on this planet. Hard working people. People with big and generous hearts. People who care about people. People who have great compassion. People who give of themselves, share what they have, and show mercy to other people. There are some burdened people in this world.

So, I come to You on behalf of all who are weary and burdened people.

I come to you on behalf of the daughter who has the responsibility of caring for her aged mother who cannot remember her name, the name of the daughter who visits her every day, nor can she remember where she is.

I come to You on behalf of the husband who cares for his wife who suffers from a disease that will eventually take her life.

I come to You on behalf of the young mother who struggles to hold on to the hope that her husband will ever give her and their children the attention they crave.

I come to You on behalf of the single dad who had to learn to be a father and a mother to his teenage daughter.

I come to You on behalf of the Christian leader who carries the burden of spiritual development of his family, the Christian family he serves, and his own spiritual health.

Father, I come to You on behalf of all the weary and heavy burdened people. I lift them up to you. And, I pray that each one will hear Your invitation to come, and Your promise to give them rest. And, I pray that they will accept Your invitation to come to You.

I pray for all the weary and heavy burdened through the name of the One who hears, the One who invites, and the One who gives rest. Amen.

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

Website: A Norvell Note

Well Done!

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

"Well done!" Don't you love to hear those words?

As a child some of the sweetest words you ever heard were probably something like: "Son, you did well on the field today." "Honey, you did well when you were kind to that older lady." "You did well when you shared your toys." "You did well on your test; I'm proud of you."

A little girl's self-esteem grows by leaps and bounds when she knows that her parents are proud of her. "You did well with your recital." "You did well when you took care of your little brother." "We are very proud of the way you handled yourself." "We know you've worked hard and you did well."

When you played Little League hearing your coach say, "Well done" as you ran back to the dugout made you feel like you had won the World Series. When you sacrifice yourself to block a shot on goal, it's worth the pain when you hear the fans tell you, "Well done!" When you made the touchdown saving tackle there's no better sound, "Well done!" that you receive from your teammates. When you see, "Well done" written on your test paper you realize all the study paid off.

Golfers love to hear, "Well done" when they sink a putt. Baggers in the grocery store love to hear it from the customers. Husbands love to hear it from their wives and wives long to hear it from their husbands. Friends love to hear, "Well done" from the lips of a friend.

Executives love to hear from the investors. Preachers love to hear after a sermon. Sheep love to hear it from their shepherds. Shepherds love to hear it from the sheep. Doctors love to hear from their patients, and patients love to hear it from their doctors. Writers love to hear it from readers.

These two words can give so much encouragement. These two words provide so much strength. These two words can keep a person going when they are weary and weak. These two words can lift our spirits. These two words can change a day. These two words can change a life. These two little words mean so much. "Well done."

No matter how much we love to hear "Well done!" from another human being, and no matter how many times we hear them in this world, there will be no comparison to how it will sound when we hear the Lord say it when we finish this journey.

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" (Matthew 25:21 NIV).

It will be a great day when we hear the Lord say the words, "Well done!" But until then, let's say them to each other. And, as you go through your week, as you live your faith, and as you let your light shine for Him, hear it from me: "Well done!"

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

Website: A Norvell Note

Every Time I Remember You

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Paul wrote, "I thank my God every time I remember you" (Philippians 1:3 NIV).

Do you have someone like that in your life? These are people you love and who love you. No matter what goes on in your world you know they are there. If you are flying high, they're there. If you are hanging out in the valley they are there. They love you and you love them, and every time you remember them you are thankful and a smile comes over your face. The Message says, "Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God."

Maybe it's a passing thought. Maybe it's a lingering daydream where you drift off into a land somewhere far away. Maybe it's when you hear a certain song, see a clip from a favorite movie, or read a familiar Scripture. Every time they cross your mind, you give thanks to God for them.

Here's a simple exercise in thankfulness that can lift your spirits, perhaps change your disposition, and it may even cause you to "break out in exclamations of thanks to God." It's simple. Take a break from whatever you are doing and make a list of these people who bring joy to your heart. As you list them, spend a moment expressing to God your thankfulness for that person and why you are glad they are in your life. If you dare to take it a step further, share your thoughts with the person. Write them a note. Call them. Text them. Email them. Post something on their Facebook wall. Tweet them. Or, if you can, look them in the eye and say, "I thank my God every time I remember you."

Here are some suggestions:

Your immediate family. Your spouse. Your children. Your parents. Thank God for blessing you and trusting you with these special gifts.

Your extended family. Your brothers and sisters, along with their families. What wonderful memories you must share with these dear people. Most will be pleasant; but some may be very difficult. All are gifts from God reminding you of who you are, where you came from, and where God wants to take you.

Most of the rest of your family. These are the aunts, uncles, and cousins who are scattered all over the world and make you thankful for your shared heritage.

Friends. These are the old friends that you've kept in touch with over the years. These are the old friends whom you hardly ever see, and have limited contact with through occasional phone calls, rare visits, and connections through the Internet community. You can be thankful for the comfort of knowing they are always there. These are the old friendships that are so real and so strong that when you do have occasions to speak it's as if you've seen each other every day of your lives. These are the new friendships that are growing deeper and stronger each day.

Mentors. Express your gratitude for those people God has placed in your life to teach you, encourage you, and help you remember that it's not all about you.

Try it. Enjoy it.

"I thank my God every time I remember you."

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

Website: A Norvell Note

Unrestrained Joy

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

As a friend was passing through town we decided to meet in the airport for coffee and conversation. We were talking about the trip, future plans, and the journey through life, when behind us we heard two small children yelling at the top of their voices, "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Naturally we turned to see that the "Daddy" they were thrilled to see was their solder father who was obviously returning from a tour in the desert.

They ran to him and literally jumped into his arms. They hugged him and kissed him. He hugged them and kissed them. They could not tell him everything they wanted to tell him quick enough. He kneeled down to their level and in between hugs and kisses the little girl and her younger brother took turns crawling on his back on his shoulders.

The soldier's young wife and mother of the two children stood by patiently allowing the children to enjoy this reunion with their daddy. When her turn came ... well, let me say, I felt like we were invading their privacy. They embraced and they kissed and they kissed and they embraced. At one point I thought about applauding as a way of thanking the family for their sacrifice and to celebrate his safe return, but it seemed out of place. This was a private moment shared by everyone in that part of the airport. We were all frozen in time and immersed in the joy of the moment. We simply allowed this soldier, his wife, and their two children the freedom to express their joy without restraint.

Oh, it should be noted that as mom and dad reconnected, the little boy was crawling up his dad's back and the little girl stood next to them jumping up and down in anticipation of her next moment with her dad.

After a few moments they walked on and we, along with all the other travelers, went back to our worlds leaving this traveler feeling blessed by the opportunity to see the unrestrained joy of a little boy, a little girl, a loving wife, and a travel weary soldier. Blessed, but also convicted by the absence of that kind of joy in my own life.

When was the last time I was so excited to see my "Daddy" that I could not contain myself? When was the last time I let it all out in joyful celebration as I came into His presence? When was the last time His Bride, the church, received the Groom with absolute devotion and love? When was the last time the world stopped to take notice of the people of God as we expressed our deepest feelings of love for our Father without concern for who might be watching, listening, or thinking we were going a bit overboard?

What keeps us from running to our Daddy yelling, "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" What prevents us from letting it all out when we are gathered with our brothers and sisters and know we are in His presence? What stops us from jumping up and down with excitement over the next opportunity to talk to our Daddy?

When the children tried to come to Jesus the disciples stopped them, but Jesus stopped them and said, "Let the children come." He wanted to hear their stories. He wanted to see their smiles. He wanted to feel their arms around His neck. He wanted them to crawl all over Him. He wanted to show them how much He loved them. He still does.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14 NIV).

One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these." After laying hands on them, he left (Matthew 19:13-15 MSG).

Let there be unrestrained joy!

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

Website: A Norvell Note

Wait in Expectation

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation (Psalm 5:1-3 NIV).

The words from the Psalmist reveal one thing we do very well, and one thing we do not do so well.

This is what we do very well: "In the morning I lay my requests before you."

We have no problem laying our requests before the Lord in the morning, at noontime, late in the afternoon, and before we go to sleep at night. And, by the next morning we can start a new list. Our list of requests can be long and detailed. "Lord, this is what I want to happen in this situation; and this is how I want this problem to be solved. Lord, I want You to do this, and Lord, I hope you will hurry up and do this other thing." We can even presume we know what the Lord thinks is best. "Lord, I know You would not want this to happen to me; or Lord, I know You would not want me to be unhappy."

By the middle of the day our requests may change. Our desires may be totally different than they were early in the morning. When the agenda changes we are very good at asking the Lord to change the plans we had previously requested. Then, if need be we will change the request made at noon to better suit our desires before we go to bed.

We are very good at laying our requests before the Lord in the morning.

This is what we don't do so well: "Wait in expectation."

The expectation part is not a problem. The problem is with the waiting. Once we've presented our requests before the Lord, we are ready for it to happen. We act toward the Lord much like when we punch a button on our computer and get frustrated if the computer does not give us the instant response we expect. We want it now. We expect it now. We are disappointed when it does not happen now. We cannot understand why our requests are not granted now.

We love to present our requests to the Lord, but waiting for Him to respond is not easy.

Perhaps there is a better way to live. In the morning let us lay our requests before the Lord and wait expectantly for the Lord, who gives ear to our words and listens to our cries for help, to respond as He determines is best. Until He responds, we will wait expectantly. When He responds, we will trust Him, knowing that He always responds in our best interest, and that He will continue to respond in a way that draws me closer to 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