24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life

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Sleeth is the executive director of Blessed Earth and the author of several books and church curricula. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with his wife. Claton Butcher is an audiobook narrator, voice-over artist, and music pastor. He has a BA in music from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and has been crafting his voice for twenty years through singing, higher education, voice acting, and audiobook narration.

He has studied under some of today's best and most prolific narrators, including Scott Brick, Sean Pratt, and Johnny Heller. He is also the founder of Two Words Publishing. Product details File Size: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

October 18, Publication Date: October 18, Sold by: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention matthew sleeth day of rest healthier and happier highly recommend day a week prescription for a healthier fourth commandment happier life keeping the sabbath easy read stop day save the planet sabbath keeping practical advice thought provoking recommend this book ten commandments keep it holy seventh day sabbath day.

Showing of reviews. Top Reviews Most recent Top Reviews. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. A friend recommended this book or I would never have picked it up Psychological and relational rest. It is timely and spot on. Quick read, interesting stories with significant insight for busy professionals who need to see the HUGE benefit of rest once per week.

Timeless principles from scripture are given in a non-religious way so this book from a busy ER doctor would challenge the thinking of anyone who claims to care about their health, but in reality is running ragged. Unplug - then take a few hours to read this to forever change your future weekends as a place of deep healing and restoration. One person found this helpful. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. If work is the meaning of our lives, then more work equals more meaning. Our work ethic even extends to our time away from work. We like to say that we work hard and we play hard.

In that rhythm, the work takes on more meaning, and the stopping takes on holiness. Matthew Sleeth found his way to Sabbath rest before he came to faith in the Lord of the Sabbath. As he began to make space in his adrenaline-driven schedule to unplug from work and focus on rest, reflection and simple family time, he discovered that Sabbath was a gift from God that shaped the way he lived all seven days of the week. This commitment included a gracious, hospitable Shabbat observance. Nancy told me that her husband had written a book on the Sabbath, and asked if I might be interested in receiving a copy of the book and its companion DVD.

Sleeth had to say about the Sabbath. Most of us ignore it, in part an over-reaction, perhaps, against the legalisms of earlier generations. More likely, we are afraid of the story the unplugged stillness of the day might tell us. When we have our overscheduled lives to tell us how utterly necessary we are, we mute the message of re-creation, communion and holy joy the Sabbath is meant to give us one blessed day each week. A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life is as gracious a book on the subject of the Sabbath as you will find.

If ever there was someone who might be tempted to write in a prescriptive manner, it would be a doctor, right? Yes, of course, this is the way we have been created to live well. In Sabbath keeping we become more ourselves, not less. Those, of us, who live in America lead very busy lives. We work long hours, care for our families, take the kids to extracurricular activities, and care for our homes.

With all the work we do and extra running around, it is no wonder that we are tired by the end of the week. God knew how busy humans tend to get and He also knew that we need time to rest and relax from all our work. Another thing, which God in His wisdom knew, was that when we get busy and successful, we forget about God. God knew that we need a day to rest and seek Him and that is why we are supposed to have a Sabbath day. He also described what his Sabbath Day looks like and gave some examples of what it really means to rest, relax, and seek God on our "Stop Day".

I have been observing a Sabbath Day for several years, however, after reading this book, I have seen that I do need to make a few changes to how I spend my Sabbaths. I made the decision to observe Sabbath at a time when life was becoming too busy and when my health was compromised. However, I mostly just avoided work and took the day to go to church and hang out with friends and family. I encourage all Christians to read this book and to observe the Sabbath. I know that my life has been positively affected since I started and I think that if America were to go back to observing Sabbath, our country would be a better country.

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Sleeth's book is good food for thought, but not much more in my opinion. It's subtitle, A prescription for a healthier, happier life should have been a clue that it was not going to be up my alley. He does include historical and biblical significance for the Sabbath, which is worth the read. He begins each chapter with a medical illustration--something I suppose I should have expected from someone bearing the initials "M.

The book neither convicted me of any lack of personally keeping the Sabbath nor convinced me of his application of it, either. Also that the idea that taking time to enjoy relationships and perhaps a hobby or two brings happiness. Sleeth certainly did not side-step the spiritual aspect. And yet, not so large a mention as to merit placement in the subtitle. And what really is the Sabbath without the One who is Lord over it? Aug 07, Bethany added it. I was challenged and encouraged by the overall message of this book, honoring the Sabbath, and enjoyed reading the lengths the author and his family went to do so e.

Cooking and cleaning the day before, not shopping or going out to eat that day, not even buying a last minute item needed for school the next day, etc. I especially liked the suggestions they had for families and look forward to using those if I have children. I also enjoyed reading the stories from his practice as What I liked: I also enjoyed reading the stories from his practice as an ER doctor.

24/6 Quotes

It was also a blessing to hear how the Sabbath actually led to the author becoming a Christian. Overall this book challenged me in a good way to put into place several habits and practices to truly honor the Sabbath, which I find myself and many other Christians neglecting on a regular basis, and described the benefits of doing so. What I didn't like: While I enjoyed the ER stories, sometimes the connection between the story and the main point was a stretch or was too vague and not fleshed out enough.

Also, when the author retold or referred to a passage or story from the Bible, he often changed the wording to make it more modern, but it ended up coming across as both cheesy and confusing. I have read Mark several times and still had to double check and then found out he was talking about Levi.

Or when describing the scene of Abraham and the three guests: Don't use the flour from that soft grindstone; use the batch Lot sent for your ninetieth. And take the Cabot cheese out of the icebox so that it can warm up. While I obviously was not alive in Abraham's time, providing some background on the time period and their practices would have been enough to keep me both interested and increase my understanding of the hospitality Abraham was showing and the reality of this scene which let's be honest the crazy interesting part of this passage isn't that, but that God somehow shows up in these three people as the Trinity?

Instead the author rewrote the entire scene in a modern, anachronistic way that not only made it cheesy but lessens the story and makes it seem less real. When they do so, it seems to show the authors think they need to change a description of a biblical story to fit our culture so we can understand it. I don't need to think of Abraham sacrificing the calf he was going to show in a fair or imagine them celebrating birthdays to understand this passage especially since I didn't grow up rurally and have never shown animals.

What I do need to understand this passage is a sharing of knowledge and teaching about this passage to help me know what this meant to the original readers and in its original context and how it fits into the entire narrative of the Bible that God is continuing today. The author did a nice job of practically describing how to live out that narrative by keeping the Sabbath and used the Scriptures to encourage us on the why and how to do so.

Jan 15, Tzippy marked it as to-read Shelves: From the Amazon description: What an embarrassing mistake. But anyway, it's free on Amazon, and I'm kind of curious, so Aug 25, Emily rated it it was amazing. The guy is an awesome writer. I picked this book up at a campmeeting since I wanted something to read for a week, and was already thinking along these lines. It turned out to be a great relaxing read even though it also brought up some very valid points that made me think.

God knew what He was doing when He made this pattern for us! Feb 08, Lauren rated it really liked it. I read this book in anticipation of Dr. Sleeth coming to our church to preach on the topic of keeping the Sabbath. The book and his message were a welcome knock on the head, reminding me of the importance of setting aside a "stop day" to rest and reflect. Now I am taking measures to anticipate and protect my Sabbath, and I want to impress that on my kids also.

This is a quick read, with humor and stories from Dr. Sleeth's career as an emergency room physician. I highly recommend it. In Sabbath keeping, we rest from more than our labors.

We rest from the tyranny of the urgent, the staggering precipice of eternity, and the mundane workweek. And our response to the divine is reverence. Mar 03, Jeremy Juliano rated it liked it.

24/6 Quotes by Matthew Sleeth

I always weary of these kind of books, they usually take more forever to get through; I would rather read a story with a plot, but this was given to me as a gift so I wanted to reciprocate and read the gift. I thought the message was spot on with a lot of thinking I had come to on my own or have been tossing around in my mind. This book put thoughts together with solid day to day examples without laying a heavy guilt on you.

I was able to blast through the book fairly quickly, for myself anyway. If you are a believer or not there is some real though provoking ideas to what it means rest and how we need it physically and mentally. I felt the book was a reaffirming voice of reason in my mind and well worth the read. Aug 05, Scott rated it it was amazing. Especially suited for workaholics who know they need to slow down. But this is more than just a treaties on getting more rest. It is about a life-change and commitment toward something almost no one values.

It is also about faith And even though this is written from a Christian author, it is not "preachy" in its tone and I believe would be equally enjoyable and valuable for those not looking for a "Christian" book. The author is an ER doc and he Especially suited for workaholics who know they need to slow down. The author is an ER doc and he artfully weaves tales and illustrations from his medical career into the book to make his points. Jun 09, Kjersti rated it liked it Shelves: I understand the irony that I had to speed-read this to finish it and the other required reading before Annual Conference.

I'm sure it deserves a higher rating, but I was really hoping that the author would eventually devoted more time to specific, creative ways of practicing Sabbath. While the foundation of the material was fascinating and new, and I appreciated the author's personal background, the applications were the same I've heard time and again.

That doesn't make them bad. In fact, I am I understand the irony that I had to speed-read this to finish it and the other required reading before Annual Conference. In fact, I am in agreement that Sabbath keeping should be a higher priority in my life. Yet in the end I was left a bit disappointed. Jan 23, Leigh Anne rated it it was amazing Shelves: Refreshing, humorous, and thought provoking!

Really enjoyed his scriptures and quotes at the end! Aug 30, Any Length rated it it was ok.

This is a very Christian book. It does talk about the importance of taking one day a week off. However, it does not necessarily say for us to go have fun. It makes a big case of spending a part of this day with God. Prayer, reading the bible. I do believe in the concept and I am one of the generation who grew up with Sundays being "sacred family time with mostly nothing much on the TV and kids suffering endless boredom and you couldn't buy anything for love or money", to Sundays This is a very Christian book.

I do believe in the concept and I am one of the generation who grew up with Sundays being "sacred family time with mostly nothing much on the TV and kids suffering endless boredom and you couldn't buy anything for love or money", to Sundays being erroded to "go shopping and spend every last dollar you have earned this week to make yourself feel better because you are living in a spritual void.

Because I felt there was an oversupply of bible verses and a lack of passion for that Sunday off. I just didn't hear "my relationship with my kids is so much better". I didn't hear "my kids and my wife and I pray together". I didn't hear how to fill a free day without going out and doing things or going shopping that will be an equal thrill in people's lives, especially when they "haven't found God yet. Which is switching on the TV and ordering pizza. Telling them to go to church and read the bible isn't going to cut it for most of them.

There isn't enough "meat" to fill a day.

And most of them will feel that they now are under pressure to "shove and push" even more stuff into the other days so as not to have to go shopping or do the laundry or the cooking for next week on Sunday. We now work about 10 hours more than 25 years ago and with all the extra things we've "had to" put into our days through peer and social pressure we just do not have the time to take a day off. Most parents need to take this daughter to a friends birthday party, and that son to soccer practice. If they tell their kids they can't go because it's Sunday and it's the day off, they will be told they are depriving their kids.

24/6 A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life

Social pressure will not let them mix with others and they will be ostracized. Oct 27, Drew rated it it was amazing Shelves: What would it be like if we all took a day off each week to enjoy quiet time, relaxing, fellowship, and time with the Lord? I know, sounds insane and impossible, right? All of this is on our plates, and you want us to drop everything and take a day — just - OFF?

Yet that is a very major part of the theme in Dr. Even computers seem to know these days that we are supposed to be going 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no room for rest in between! All in all, I loved this book. I first became acquainted with Dr. As I stumbled across liberal blog after liberal blog about being a good treehugger, I started to become discouraged.

Are there no Christians out there who appreciate the creation God has given us? It was at that time that I stumbled across the website of Blessed Earth www.

My initial thought was that the title sounded cliche, and — you guessed it — liberal. The premise of his latest installment is that Christians are called by God to observe the Sabbath. Is work a bad thing? The Bible commands us to work and condemns laziness and idleness, but the God who created us also understands our need for time away from those things.

He created the Sabbath for man because He created man with a need for a relationship with Him, as well as a need for rest. When we remember the fourth commandment and live it the way God intended, the good that this will do for us and our relationships with the Lord will be a tremendous blessing.

I can already hear the objections: This is the legalism of the Pharisees! We are no longer under the Mosaic Law! Let me state simply that it is not. One cannot get many pages into this book without discovering that Sleeth is careful to point out that he believes in following the spirit of the Law, not the letter of the Law. If the Pharisees could label something as work, it was not allowed on the Sabbath. In the teachings of Jesus, He is quick to point out that the Pharisees missed the whole point of the Law that was given in the first place.

They constantly accused those who would help others on the Sabbath, but if one is in need, how are they to enjoy the Sabbath? What if they are sick? What if they just lost their home? Are we as Christians to say: That can wait until Monday? If the idea behind the Sabbath is to focus on the first and greatest commandment, and the second which is like unto it, how can we sit back and watch a brother suffer and still enjoy fellowship with the Lord?

We can, however, have a day where we skip sports practices and games, refuse to go to the office, put school work aside, and instead really rest and relax. Do minimal work around the house, read the Bible or other books, take naps when the urge hits us, watch that favorite movie or TV show, go to church and fellowship with friends and family, or go for a walk, sometimes just with the Lord, and sometimes with others as well.

I have to admit, I was an easy sell for this book. It has long bothered me to see Christians completely ignore this commandment and act as if Sunday or whatever day they choose to observe as the Sabbath is no different from any other day of the week.

Buy for others

When I was in college, I began a regular practice of taking Sunday off from school work, cleaning my dorm, and other similar activities. At first this was difficult. I found myself bored on Sundays. It was also sometimes problematic because I started finding that taking a day off demanded preparation beforehand. This meant doing my studying and cleaning on Saturday, when others wanted to go out and play until it was time to cram at the last minute. The boredom would occasionally get to me, I would finally cave and start cleaning or studying.

After a while, I finally found myself giving up, and just treating my Sundays like I always had before: Soon after I went back to my old way of doing things, however, I found myself more worn out than ever, and as if I was truly missing something. My brain felt like it was on overload, and I had trouble finding peace and quiet which my mind and body needed desperately.

I was also missing those wonderful quiet moments with the Lord. After I started taking one day a week, I noticed that some of my most special moments of fellowship with Him, or some of my most profound insights into scripture, came on or soon after Sunday. With scripture, as well as personal experience in mind, this book simply rang true with me. I also appreciate Dr. Oct 23, Andria rated it liked it Shelves: My complaints are similar to those I have for a lot of Christian non-fiction, unfortunately: Chapters had subsections, but often they were only linked with a vague idea like "time.

In one chapter, he spent a page and a half describing how bad he was at school but how he loved watching movies on the projector, just so he could get to his real illustration: Why not just open with that? The author had some good thoughts, I just would have liked them arranged in something more cohesive.

On the plus side, as I'm already thinking of Sabbath more these days, the list of Sabbath-related scripture, and the list of quotes at the back of the book gave me a place to start for further reading.

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