“The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here’s to October…” — A.A. Milne

“What could be more exciting than an October day? It’s your birthday, Fourth of July and Christmas all rolled into one.” — Peggy Toney Horton

Today being my birthday, and a Sunday to boot – my favorite day of the week, NOT TO MENTION OCTOBER, my favorite month of the year –  gave me an added purpose for sharing prayers on my blog from the Psalms. And for this particularly awesome, astounding, amazing MONTH, with perceptive providence in worship this morning, the pastor provided a very, very special message for my birthday! Get ready for this. I was so blessed! His topic was “A Good Life!” We’re all looking for the good life, right? And what better gift for my birthday than “A Good Life,” right?!

David Stewart Freeman co-authored, 100 Things To Do Before You Die. The book’s recommendations range from attending the Academy Awards and running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, to the more obscure, like taking a voodoo pilgrimage in Haiti. But, Freeman died in his home on August 17, 2008, after falling and hitting his head. He was 47. At the time of his death, it was noted that Freeman had seen “about half the sites” in his book.

However, the best bucket-list a person can have is “A Good Life” (1 Peter 3:10-12). The Apostle Peter is quoting from Psalm 34, a Psalm of David while hiding from King Saul. This is not a trouble free-life or a pain-free life but whoever desires to live with zest and to love life and see good days – This is where you can find it:

Bucket List

1) Muzzle the mouth (verse 10) an energetic restraint.

2) Commit to telling the truth (verse 10) don’t defend any dishonesty in your life. The tongue, not your wardrobe or your scholarly degree, determines the very direction of your life (James 3). Death and life are in the power of the tongue. The Author of 1 Peter, the Apostle Peter, learned the hard way as the cock crowed.

3) Steer from sin (verse 11) turn away; lean away; bend-over-backwards to avoid sin.

4) Make positive memories (verse 11) The good life is not only what you avoid but in what you pursue; replacing the wrong thing with the right thing.

5) Chase after peace (verse 11b) run after it/pressing forward. Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker.

6) Remember you are never ever alone (verse 12) No matter what kind of life you pursue, the Lord sees. He sees and hears everything; He doesn’t miss anything.

Now that’s a bucket list worth emulating and praying for daily.

God our Father, you and you alone are good. Our desire is to glorify you at all times, to recognize your preeminence over us. Have mercy on us, and cause your face to shine on us so we may taste and see that you alone are good. Thank you for your providential plan that brings trials into our lives so you may teach us to cry out to you for deliverance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (Holman Old Testament Commentary)