Morning Traditions

       This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

–Psalms 118:24, NIV 

    Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I would like to share my morning routine with you. I hope it encourages you.  

     I wake up Monday-Friday at 5:00 am. The very first thing I do is pray (10-15 minutes). I either get out the bed and fall to my knees or I may just lay in the bed and start thanking God for another day. Every day that God provides us is a blessing. God deserves all of our praise for the gift of life. Next, I take care of my hygiene. Afterwards, I make a hot mug of coffee and then go back into my cell for privacy (quietness). I grab my Bible and devotional manual. Presently, I am reading a devotion by Max Lucado.1 After I read my daily devotional, I read one chapter of Proverbs. The Proverb reading provides guidance throughout the day. See Prov. 8:32-35. Generally, if a person read one chapter of Proverbs daily, they could read the whole book of Proverbs every month. The chapter of Proverbs that I read corresponds with that actual day of the month. For instance, if it’s the 23rd day of the month, I will read the 23rd chapter of Proverbs and so on. In the midst of readings these devotions, I am constantly praying, asking the Lord to illuminate my mind with His wisdom through His Word. The book of Proverbs is in the genre of Wisdom Literature (Instructions). This total process last about one hour. At 6:00 am sharp, I turn the radio on to the Ricky Smiley Morning Show. The first 10-15 minutes of this show is all about God –A Word of exhortation and Gospel music. The Gospel songs that I hear on this show resonates in my spirit throughout the day, plus the Word of exhortation by Pastor Fredrick D. Haines is powerful. 

     Around 6:30 am, I transition over into my daily exercise routine. Let me explain this. On Monday’s, Wednesday’s, and Friday’s, I jog from 6:30-7:00 am. After I finishing jogging, I do five hundred jumping jacks (10 sets, 50 jumping jacks per set). Then, I do four sets of pull ups, dips, and back extensions (8-10 reps per set). Then, I do about fifteen minutes of ab work (sit ups, crunches, side bends, etc.) On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, I do fifty burpees. In between each burpee, I do five push-ups, ten knee raises, and five body squats. At the end of this routine, I have completed two hundred and fifty push-ups, five hundred knee raises, and two hundred and fifty body squats. While completing my exercise routine, I strive to take no break in between sets. 

At 7:30 am, I have breakfast then hit the shower.  

    So, would you like to join in with me? I know that you may need to tweak a few things to fit you needs. That is ok. The most important thing is that we are spending private time with the Lord, and practicing good discipline habits. It’s good when the people of God come together in unity (Rm. 15:5, NIV). Let us all strive to be of one mind in Christ. In addition to that, this routine makes you feel great throughout the day. It is also a good discipline mechanism. I believe that we strengthen our mind, body, and soul when we get into good habits; and when we do the right things even when we don’t feel like doing it. Let’s push through together. Amen! 

f you would like to know more about: Morning Traditions, and/or would like to get in unison with me, or have better ideas, please write to me at: 

Dwayne Haizlip # 0161397 

Scotland Correctional Institution 

P.O. Box 247 

Phoenix, MD 21131 

Thanks and have a bless day.