My Morning Routine…

By:Drew Anderson

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:22

We all have our routines. Some are good. Some could be better.

Let me illustrate. Observe this week how you brush your teeth, put on your socks, take off a jacket, or eat a meal (do you eat the fries before, during, or after the cheeseburger?).

What about the routines in our spiritual lives? What rhythms are fostered for a robust and living relationship with our Lord?

I will share one with you: my morning routine. It has developed over the years and remains dynamic. Depending upon my season of life or circumstance(s), I may drop some books and add others. My focus remains the same…to know my Lord, seek the face of the Father, and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. His work through His Word by His Spirit and my commitment to dedicating time with Him have meant more for me than words can describe, and rulers can measure.

The image above encapsulates my routine. However, for those who like details, keep reading:

*5:00 AM – Alarm goes off. I don’t hit snooze.

  • Drink a cup of water set out before going to bed.
  • Coffee is set on a timer, so I pour a cup (french roast with a tablespoon of whipping cream).
  • Eat a small snack.
  • Make a fire in the wood stove if it’s chilly outside (we primarily heat our house through the fall and spring with this method).
  • Write in a morning prayer journal.
    • I start each entry with [Date – Day – Time] Temperature.
    • This is usually one or two lines of praise, thoughts, prayers, and more.
  • Read the day of the month in the Be Thou My Vision daily liturgy resource.
  • Write a note or question or request to read a particular Scripture in each of my daughters’ morning journals (those are the colorful journals to the right of Be Thou My Vision in the image above).
    • This is a dynamic experience, meaning that they write their thoughts or responses, and I respond the next day, and so on. I try to keep it from burdening them, so if they miss several days without writing back to me, I’ll write something like, “I love you! – Daddy,” to give them time to catch up. The key here is habit development, i.e., for them to consistently write their thoughts from time in the Word, lessons learned from an experience, etc.

5:20 AM – Head to my shop/study

  • Scripture
    • Old/New Testament
      • I use the Robert Murray M’Cheyne reading plan: four Old and New Testament chapters.
      • I make notes/write comments following a note-taking method I developed. The Bibles are well-made (good paper and binding) and will be a gift to each daughter one day. I am currently reading through and making notes in my youngest daughter’s Bible.
      • This plan helped me see connections and correlations across the Old/New Testaments and has grown my biblical theology.
    • Proverb of the Day
      • After finishing M’Cheyne’s Bible reading plan, I read the chapter in Proverbs corresponding to the month’s day.
      • I use the Bible dedicated to my wife for the day’s Proverb. I’ll gift this to her one day as well.
      • Next, I use the Proverbs Journible resource to write one insight on one verse (title each entry the same: [Date – Day – Time] Temp.
        • This is short and sweet and gives me daily biblical wisdom.
  • Scripture Insights
    • For the Love of God by DA Carson.
    • I read both volumes for the day. Carson comments on the Bible chapters designated by M’Cheyne’s Bible reading plan.
    • Carson’s insights are not commentary but thoughtful pastoral observations.
  • Doctrine
    • I’m working through Gregg Allison’s 50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith for a second time. It was that good.
    • I take one core truth daily. They are about 4-5 pages each.
    • This resource is written concisely and charitably.
  • Church History
    • Reformation
      • I’m reading through Voices from the Past.
      • This resource is a compilation of many Puritan writers for each day of the year. It’s brief but powerful.
    • Early Church Thought
      • I’m reading through The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.
      • This little gem has been a great comfort for me. I’ve read this little book many times and probably will for a long time.
  • Guided Prayer
    • I use the Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie.
    • This has blessed and expanded my vision for prayer more than any prayer resource.
    • Get the older version if possible. I have both, but I prefer the original.
  • Marriage Enrichment
    • I read the daily entry from Daily Blessings for My Wife from Family Life.
    • This short, straightforward read opens my thoughts and prayers for my wife.
  • Daily Prayer
    • Each day of the week has a specific topic that I use to guide my prayer life.
      • Monday: Workplace.
      • Tuesday: Community/Friends.
      • Wednesday: ACTS: Adoration. Confession. Thanksgiving. Supplication. Gospel.
      • Thursday: Family and Wife.
      • Friday: My heart and ministry.
      • Saturday: Open.
      • Sunday: Church
  • Prayers for My Family
    • Family Life prayer guide for my wife.
    • Family Life prayer guide for my children.
  • Prayer Journal
    • Record pressing prayer needs in a journal (leather binder in the image above).
  • Extemporaneous Prayer
    • I pray as I am led.

I’m flexible with completing the shop/study routine above. If I’m short on time, traveling, or more, I’ll cut portions from the list. The two daily non-negotiables for me are Scripture and prayer.

7:00 AM – Physical Fitness

  • Cardio
    • Rotate through the rowing machine and stationary bike.
  • Strength training
    • Rotate through dumbbells, kettlebells, pushups, pull-ups, and more.
  • Intellectual/Spiritual Engagement
    • I listen to various podcasts and sermons while I’m working out.

8:00 AM – Breakfast with Family and leave for Work.

  • My weekly AM work start schedule varies. Some days, I teach starting at 8:00 AM, and some days, I begin meetings at 9:00 AM. Depending upon the day, I trim my morning routine to accommodate.
  • After breakfast, I record one insight in the Crossway Proverbs Journal Bible and share it with the family. I ask them for insights or reflections on the verse or reactions to my comments.
  • As I head out the door each morning, I circle up and pray with my wife (and whichever daughters are in the kitchen when I go). I pray the armor of God over my family, taken from Ephesians 6…
    • “Lord, we take on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith. Lord, we take on the belt of truth, we shod our feet with the gospel of peace, and lastly, Lord, we take on the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Amen.”

May my dynamic and straightforward morning routine encourage you to press on in your own morning routine. God bless you as you endeavor to know and love Jesus more and more.

* I don’t set an alarm for Saturday morning (and sometimes Sunday). I sleep in as long as my body lets me or when something else wakes me. Saturday is our weekly family time. We ease into our day, have our best breakfast (usually brunch) of the week, and do things outside, read good books, and make memories together. This time is dynamic and sometimes altered by sporting events, travel, etc. We’re not rigid, but we aim to make one day a week our Sabbath rest.

— December 29, 2023