15 Things I Try to do Everyday

So I came up with this list of things that I need to be doing each day and on a regular basis. I don’t always hit the mark, but I have found that it’s in the trying that makes the difference.  I though I would share it with you.

1. Pray, read my Bible, and sing worship songs. This I am pretty good at doing, thank God.
2. Tell my wife and kids that I love and appreciate them.
3. Workout in some form physically via exercise.
4. Make our bed each morning before leaving home, unless the wife is still in it.
5. Drive safely.  We don’t need any accidents, tickets, or close calls.
6. Clean up some mess in the house without complaining.
7. Take a shower, brush my teeth, and floss as often as I can. (floss picks really help).
8. Say something nice to the people I love the most, and even a few I may struggle with.
9. Do something helpful or considerate for someone, even if they are a total stranger.
10.  Study (read) in some capacity, for me, or for an upcoming speaking opportunity.
11.  Continue to work on some ongoing project, I have lots of them, just ask the wife.
12.  Call someone on the phone to encourage or check up on them.
13.  Prepare (pay for) a meal for myself or someone else, even if it includes a drive thru.
14.  Write a letter or send an e-mail to someone.
15.  Do something with my wife and/or kids, together or separately, or at least ask.

Some Things I Need to Do for the Future:

1. Continue to write out expository studies as part of my spiritual life formation.
2. Invite certain, safe others to give their input on my efforts to live better.
3. Emphasize “the blessing of abundance” each time I both give or receive an offering.
4. Share how I feel with trusted men in my life when I struggle with fear, doubt or, worry.
5. Diet and exercise, I am what I eat, I must care about what I put into my temple.
6. When I make a change, I want to make sure that the reasoning for it is right and proper.
7. If there’s a wrong way to lead, I want to stay away from that, and do it the right way.
8. I am a 57-year old man, I must share my stuff with others younger than I, as best I can.
9. Keep my house in order at all times (ready), when it gets messy, get it back in order.
10. Support my pastor & my church, which includes my district and the many pastors in it.

While I believe that we are imminently close to the Rapture of the Church, I have found that one of the best ways to be ready for the Lord’s return for His Church is to have a long term plan in place that keeps me at my ‘A’ game, right up to the moment we launch.  There’s nothing like looking short and planning long to make a believer in Jesus ready for Him.  If we are the bride of Christ, than we want to look and be as best we can for the Groom. I realize that’s hard for men to imagine, but none the less, it’s a biblical metaphor that fits. 

This being said, I have found that fighting sadness and loneliness in this Fall (2021) season tends to drain the energy needed to aspire to my behavior do list.  I read in scripture that the Lord is aware of our frame, it’s weakness, and its tendency to fall short at times. He is also available to us to give us the strength we need for the day, and to encourage us in His Word and through His Holy Spirit.  Hang in their brothers (and sisters), we’re almost home.  

Blessings and Maranatha!

Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Central Missouri.  He lives with his wife of 32-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren).  Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a former Lead Pastor (25 years), police chaplain, and community advocate.  He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.