Five Very Simple Things That Will Make Your Life Better

A List of Five Things That Have Changed My Life (They Can Change Yours Too):

Pray -- This is an obvious point from a pastor but it really does change things! Taking even 10 minutes to pray can change the outlook on the rest of your day. Don't just talk to God but listen to Him as well! Pour your heart out to Him but also allow God the opportunity to speak into your heart as you meditate upon Scripture.

Read the Bible -- Again these top two are no surprise from the pen of a pastor! But these two ideas really do go together. If you will read even one chapter of Scripture each day your thought life will be altered...even radically so. God will bring to mind what you have read and your perspective will never be the same!

Work Out (regularly) -- As we grow older there is greater and greater need to be in good physical shape; ironically, it also takes more work to be so. Working out "regularly" means doing so at least 3-4 times per week. Regular time working out will reduce stress, depression, blood pressure and anxiety. In short, working out puts you in a better mood!

Stop the Gluttony -- We tend to look down upon the grosser sins such as adultery, drunkenness and theft while dismissing those closer to home. Gluttony is very close to home for most of us as Americans! Overeating taxes the mind and body in a number of ways. How many times have you returned to work from lunch feeling bloated and tired? Mexican food (my favorite and most tempting food with which to sin) is great but too much of it will slow you down and affect how you feel physically as well as emotionally.

Stop The Madness -- If you listen to six hours of talk radio each day you are probably whipped into a frenzy by noon and ready to start a new Civil War by 3pm. Even if we agree with those on the radio, website or television channel, too much partisan chatter can affect us in negative ways. Consider what you allow your ears to hear and eyes to see. Remember the old adage, "Garbage in, garbage out." If we allow too many emotionally charged speeches/arguments/pleas to enter our mind, we will be negatively affected!

James