Great lessons from Pastor Kelley

Brittanie went to Pastor Kelley's funeral today and brought home the program. There was a message from his wife inside that made me cry. But the back of the program had something I wanted to share with everyone.

"The Greatest Lessons I have Learned as a Preacher of the Gospel."
- Dr. Bob Kelley

(First given to his Timothy Club and preacher boys)

1. Your best sermon is your family, love your wife, and teach your children to stay close.

2. Empty wells produce dead cats and dry leaves - personal devotions are a must to prevent burn out and keep a fresh presence of the Lord.

3. Love people as they are, rough edges and all, and never, ever give up on them.

4. You do not get what you want in life and ministry, you get what you are - character matters.

5. Never, ever lose your burden for souls.

6. Guard your tongue.

7. Learn to calculate what is worth making an issue - learn the difference between convictions and preferences.

8. God called us to build people, not ministries or buildings.

9. Make good friends.

10. Have fun! Stay excited! Laugh! People ought to want your job!

11. Die to self, and don't be all day in doing it! Rise early and get going!

12. The best protection against falling into sin is to practice hating it.

13. Count your blessings - then record then. Don't rely on your memory to recall all of God's goodness.

14. Say "thank you" every time and every way you can. A thankful attitude covers a multitude of sins.

15. Exercise your faith. A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.

16. Keep your shoes shined, stay neat - first impressions matter.

17. Never forget the Judgement seat of Christ.

18. Always remember - God can get along fine without you!