Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.

      What did I take away from the events of this summer? As many of you know I did have a jolt back on August second of this year with the surprising arrival of a TIA known as a Transient Ischemic Attack. Things that were important to me on August first were not as important on August third and to this date. Priorities shifted in my heart and soul. What has become important to me might not be important to you, but if you think these things through they might become important to you as well.
      One of the first things that I cannot get away from is the value of a clean conscience. Yup, that’s right, a clean conscience will give us such joy for our everyday living that the peace of God becomes a constant companion. Psalm 32:2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! Happy is the man whose sins are forgiven. 
      Someone might say, “How can I get a clean conscience?” That is the beauty of grace. If you are in Christ you already have a clean and restored conscience because we have been baptized with our Savior’s blood that washes away all sin. Now, what we have to do is believe it by faith and make sure that we confess all unrepentant sin once and for all. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Walk the walk and be the Christ-filled person you are through the Holy Spirit. A clean conscience will truly put a calm smile on your face and a big smile in your heart.
      The second thing I have been practicing lately is to do something that makes me happy every day. This can be a variety of things; it does not have to be grandiose or extravagant. Eccl. 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. 
      We can find ourselves chasing stuff or we can find ourselves catching God every day while we are doing something that makes us truly happy. I like to go to the sawmill and take the old wood (with permission from the owner) that has been thrown away on the slag heap and turn it into something useful and nice. Kind of what God does with lost souls who have been discarded. 
      I like to write, research and explore ideas that bring life to my soul. The key is to take the time to do something you like so that your heart will truly say, “Thank you Lord for giving me this day, because I found pleasure in it.” Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
      Another thing I have added to my daily routine is to not let the sun go down on my anger. Eph. 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. Make sure you say “I love you” to those you love – your family and friends – because like you, they need to hear it. Don’t go to sleep with stuff clogging your emotions and heart. 
      Do you want to be right or do you want to be righteous? Is the argument worth winning to the point of losing fellowship? No, it’s not worth our peace or a peaceful night’s sleep that is a gift from the Lord. Psalm 12:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He gives His beloved sleep.  Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makes me dwell in safety. 
      We get healed during our sleep, so it is no wonder the enemy of our soul tries to block it with the self-preservation of worthless arguments. No Saints. Say “I love you,” before you sleep and you will be blessed and have a healthy heart. Give these three ideas an honest try. Blessings.