Father,
As I sit here in the late hours of this Thursday evening I find myself feeling weighed down by the events of the week, and trying to release them into Your strong, but gentle hands. You know what to do with them. I do not.
As I reflect on the days I realize that my perspective is blurred and limited. Things that I may consider as good, may not really be so good in Your eyes. Things that I consider as frustrating and discouraging, You may see as just what I need to make me stronger, build my character, and transform me more into Your image.
Even the things that I have done this week...the sermons I have prepared, the conversations I have had, the teaching that I have done, and the materials I have read...may not be as valuable I think; or, perhaps they are more valuable.
Then, when I allow myself to think about what is planned for Friday, and Saturday, and Sunday, I wonder how I will handle what You place in my hands. Will I see the opportunities, then seize it? Will I hear the message between the words that are spoken by those with whom I will converse? Will I treat each person with respect, dignity, gentleness, and kindness? Will I say the things that You want me to say in the way You want it said, and is such a way that those who listen will be encouraged and uplifted?
Father, these are the things I ponder (or perhaps they are simply ramblings) as I reflect on the days which have just passed, and upon the days ahead (should I granted more days). These are the contents of my heart. I surrender them to You. I leave them with You. Should I be granted another day, I pray that You will empower me and reveal Your presence and Your will in whatever may come my way. Into Your hands I commit my words, my actions, my attitudes, and my good intentions.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
We Value Our Freedom
A Norvell Note
Vol. 14 No. 27 July 4, 2011
We value our freedom, don’t we? On this holiday and on other occasions when we discuss freedom we are quick to express how much our freedom means to us. Some say it is our most valuable possession. Some describe it as the secret to happiness. Someone has said that, “Any existence deprived of freedom is a kind of death.” Many have died for the cause of freedom. Many are serving in places where they live with the possibility of death in their efforts to preserve freedom. Many of our children will give their lives for the cause of freedom.
Because of the value we place on freedom, when it is taken from us, or even if it is threatened, we resolve to defend it and protect it at any cost.
Aging accompanied by failing health often produces a fear of what the loss of our freedom will mean. We fear what will happen to us when we can no longer take care of ourselves. Where will we live? Will we be able to provide our own transportation, or will we be forced to depend on someone else to transport us from place to place? Will our life savings last as long as our lives? Ironically, in some cases, our fear of losing our freedom may contribute to the loss of our freedom.
As students confidently march toward the end of their education the quest for freedom intensifies. Complete freedom and independence cannot come soon enough. Often their parents agree. Any resistance to them exercising their freedom is considered cruel, foolish, and totally unfair. For the almost-adult freedom is very valuable.
As couples approach the marriage altar the proverbial cold feet may surface with thoughts of the loss of freedom. Am I really ready to settle down? Am I ready to give up my freedom? Am I willing to limit myself to one partner? Am I willing to share my space? Am I ready to sacrifice the freedoms I enjoy as a single person? When we discovers that our freedoms, as valuable as they are, fade in comparison to the opportunity to share our life with the one we love, we know we are ready for marriage.
Among the disturbing realities of recovering from an accident, illness or surgery are the limitations to our freedom of movement and activity. Our energy is depleted quickly. We need more rest. We are not as free to eat what we normally would. We may not be able to handle our normal workload. We are dependent upon others to help us do what we normally do for ourselves, or must rely completely on others to do what we would normally do for ourselves.
We value our freedom. As our freedoms diminish we grieve; as they increase we rejoice.
Freedom is also important to our Savior. In Luke 4:16-21 He included bringing freedom to the imprisoned as a major component of His mission on earth: Jesus He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (NIV)
We value our freedom for good reason: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV) On this holiday remember that in Christ we have the most valuable of all freedoms, and that the greatest who ever lived gave His life so that we can be forgiven and know true freedom.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2011. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.
Vol. 14 No. 27 July 4, 2011
We value our freedom, don’t we? On this holiday and on other occasions when we discuss freedom we are quick to express how much our freedom means to us. Some say it is our most valuable possession. Some describe it as the secret to happiness. Someone has said that, “Any existence deprived of freedom is a kind of death.” Many have died for the cause of freedom. Many are serving in places where they live with the possibility of death in their efforts to preserve freedom. Many of our children will give their lives for the cause of freedom.
Because of the value we place on freedom, when it is taken from us, or even if it is threatened, we resolve to defend it and protect it at any cost.
Aging accompanied by failing health often produces a fear of what the loss of our freedom will mean. We fear what will happen to us when we can no longer take care of ourselves. Where will we live? Will we be able to provide our own transportation, or will we be forced to depend on someone else to transport us from place to place? Will our life savings last as long as our lives? Ironically, in some cases, our fear of losing our freedom may contribute to the loss of our freedom.
As students confidently march toward the end of their education the quest for freedom intensifies. Complete freedom and independence cannot come soon enough. Often their parents agree. Any resistance to them exercising their freedom is considered cruel, foolish, and totally unfair. For the almost-adult freedom is very valuable.
As couples approach the marriage altar the proverbial cold feet may surface with thoughts of the loss of freedom. Am I really ready to settle down? Am I ready to give up my freedom? Am I willing to limit myself to one partner? Am I willing to share my space? Am I ready to sacrifice the freedoms I enjoy as a single person? When we discovers that our freedoms, as valuable as they are, fade in comparison to the opportunity to share our life with the one we love, we know we are ready for marriage.
Among the disturbing realities of recovering from an accident, illness or surgery are the limitations to our freedom of movement and activity. Our energy is depleted quickly. We need more rest. We are not as free to eat what we normally would. We may not be able to handle our normal workload. We are dependent upon others to help us do what we normally do for ourselves, or must rely completely on others to do what we would normally do for ourselves.
We value our freedom. As our freedoms diminish we grieve; as they increase we rejoice.
Freedom is also important to our Savior. In Luke 4:16-21 He included bringing freedom to the imprisoned as a major component of His mission on earth: Jesus He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (NIV)
We value our freedom for good reason: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV) On this holiday remember that in Christ we have the most valuable of all freedoms, and that the greatest who ever lived gave His life so that we can be forgiven and know true freedom.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, NIV)
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2011. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.
Monday, June 27, 2011
A Father's Love
A Norvell Note
Vol. 14 No. 26 June 27, 2011
I have seen it from the bleachers during high school football games. His son is on the field, but the father is completely tuned in. Some dads cannot sit still so they pace the sidelines. They often look like they are talking to themselves. They are not. They are talking to their sons. It almost seems as if there is an invisible direct line of communication between the father and the son. A father’s love is deep.
I have seen it in auditoriums as a little girl takes center stage for “her moment” in the school play. When the performance is over and the cast members take their final bows she searches the audience until she sees her Daddy. A smile spreads across her face. For her, there is only one person in the audience. A father’s love is beautiful.
I have seen it in the airport as a soldier moves through the airport searching every face hoping to see his family. The little ones spot him, run into his arms cheering, “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” He picks them up, hugs them, kisses them, and tells them he loves them. A father’s love is precious.
I have seen it in the funeral parlor as sons and daughters stand by a casket in disbelief as they stare at their father. They cry. They laugh. They share stories from their childhood. They recall how he helped them through tough times. They reflected on what he taught them about family, about friends, about life, and about God, and how those teachings will live on. A father’s love is enduring.
I have seen it in a child’s hospital room as fever from an unexplained illness has stolen the energy from a toddler. Next to the bed sits a dad relentlessly watching, waiting, and praying. He is attentive, gentle and patient. A father’s love is comforting.
I have seen it from the steps in the front of church buildings. Preparation and decorations are complete. The wedding party is in place. There is a significant pause in the action. The music shatters the silence as the doors in the back open and everyone stands to see the bride. Walking slowly down the aisle is a father and his daughter. She is beaming. He is feverishly fighting back the tears as they reach the front where he stands between his daughter and the man who is about to be her husband. He hopes he can deliver his one line. With all the strength he can muster he whispers, “Her mother and I.” With a hug and a kiss, he releases her. He takes his seat and wipes his tears. A father’s love is sacred.
I have seen it in spiritual gatherings as lives are changed by the realization of the love the Father has for His children. Tears flow. Hearts are broken. Relationships are reconciled. Hope is realized. The Father’s love is everlasting.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3, NIV)
A father’s love is a gift from God. I hope you have, or have had, a father who has loved you, like the Father love him. But, that may not be your story. You may have never known the love of your earthly father, and you may never know what it feels like to love like a father. But you can know the love of the Father in heaven has for you.
My prayer is that the Father’s love will become real to you, that you will embrace His love, and that you will share His love. His love is deeper, more beautiful, more precious, more enduring, more comforting and even more sacred than we can imagine. May you experience the Father’s love today. (Click here for Sarah Sadler’s How Deep A Father's Love For Us.)
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2011. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)