Every article begins as a blank page. Usually I have a thought in my head that has not yet made it onto the page. Gradually the words flow from the idea in my head to the keys on my keyboard and eventually to the page on my screen. It begins as a blank page.

Every sermon begins as a blank page. The text is determined. The passage is read and digested. Eventually a few thoughts are transferred from the margin of my Bible, my PDA, or my journal onto the page which I will use when I deliver my sermon. It begins as a blank page.

Every day begins as a blank page. The night is over and the alarm sounds. My eyes open. My head clears and I begin to focus on what lies ahead. A meeting. A class. An appointment. A visit. Phone calls to make. Some are pleasant; some not so pleasant. By the time my feet are on the floor, my schedule for the day is set. It begins as a blank page.

Every phone call begins as a blank page. The telephone rings. I check the caller ID. I flip the phone open. The conversation begins with the usual pleasantries and the conversation progresses; then it ends with the usual pleasantries. It begins as a blank page.

Every email begins as a blank page. I pull up my email program. Read my unread mail. Click on the "New" button. Select the addressee. Type my message. It begins as a blank page.

Every job begins as a blank page. The application is completed. The initial interview is scheduled and completed. The job is offered and accepted. The alarm blares early in the morning. The first day begins. It begins as a blank page.

It begins as a blank page.

Every relationship begins as a blank page. The couple makes eye contact. They have a brief conversation. He makes a phone call. They make a date. They make another date. They make another date. The relationship grows and matures. It begins as a blank page.

Every life begins as a blank page. We grow and develop. We learn and mature. We listen and talk. We work and we play. We get hurt and we heal. We sin and repent. We give and receive. We cry and we laugh. It begins as a blank page.

Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! (2 Corinthians 5:16-17 The Message)

The Secret of Happiness by Billy Graham Teaches us to live above the circumstances of life and rest in the true happiness God wants us to have.

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

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