CHAPLAIN'S CORNER: Password protected

Published Nov. 30, 2007
By Chaplain (Capt.) Kelly Stahl
Tinker Chapel

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- I cannot even count how many passwords I have memorized.
   I have passwords for e-mail, bank accounts, ATM cards, computer based training for the Air Force, my CAC card, computer programs, cell phones, keyless car access and a whole lot more.
   I sometime wonder how I can remember all those passwords. Occasionally I forget them and it can cause all kinds of problems. And if I forget the password I have to request a new password and that always takes longer than it should.
   Often times my passwords expire and then I change it to something that I will never remember because the new password has to have 16 digits containing capital letters, lower case letters, numbers and other miscellaneous characters in a random combination that would cause even the sanest person to question reality.
   Of course the reason we have the passwords is a good one. We need to keep sensitive information locked up. Having our bank accounts or our Virtual MPF unprotected could mean that the information could fall into the hands of the wrong person and then we could loose everything.
   Did you know that we need passwords for our hearts? Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." If our administrative and bank information is so sensitive, why wouldn't our hearts be just as important? Protecting what is placed in our heart needs to be cared about even more. Are we allowing unhealthy information free access to an area that shapes our character and molds who we are? We need to be careful to set up firewalls and access codes that don't allow that information in.
   How do we do that? By being proactive. Knowing what is bad information is a start. Is it destructive thoughts like suicide, violence, bitterness, rage, hatred or vengeance? When that information is encountered, it needs to be denied access to our hearts. Do you know how to check if that information has been stored in your heart?
   Scripture tells us, in Matthew 12:34b, that "for out of the overflow of the heart, our mouth speaks."
   What is your mouth speaking? Are you ever surprised what it is you're saying? Maybe we need to change some passwords for our hearts so that only positive and encouraging information is being stored there. Just try and not forget the new password.