Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Judy Mosley

The scene opens to an enchanting snowy evening.  The location is an outdoor skating rink where a mother and daughter are skating together.  Hands clasped, the joy is radiating from their faces as the voice-over for the commercial begins speaking … “What if you could give your family just what they want this holiday season …”  He goes on to describe that with this family plan, with unlimited text, video messaging, and photo messaging, it will bring your family together this year.

This is where the commercial was dead wrong.

Billions of dollars are being swept away by the advancement of technology.  From TV to cell phones and from the internet to movies, people are finding it more difficult to stay connected to those around them.  At my husbands’ Christmas party this year, I was particularly surprised by how many people I saw texting instead of talking to those around them at their table. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Stefanie Johnson

Creativity.

It makes every aspect of life richer, more fulfilling, and fun.  There are very few projects that can’t be improved without it.  Whether you’re required to be creative for your profession or you have a hobby you’re passionate about, creativity has to flow.  It can’t be forced.

Creativity tends to slow down and even stop up entirely when we’re stressed out or under pressure.  So, what can you do to get things flowing again? Read More »

Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, St. Matthews Baptist Church

Editor’s Note: Traditionally we have not published articles on Sundays.  Until now.  This article is the first of what will be many “Sermon Briefs,” which will be published each Sunday and on select other days as appropriate.  We owe a debt of gratitude to Les Hollon, Pastor of St. Matthews Baptist Church in Louisville, KY, for making this happen.

Make The Days Count is about reminding ourselves what is important in our lives, and how we can be more positive and productive each day.  You can see the various topics we focus on in the right margin … with the intent to be present, make each day count, be productive, and live well … For us, this includes God.

How do we manage life?  How can our faith help us live with mounting stress?  How do we find rest in a busy world?

Strange, isn’t it?  Our technology was marketed with the idea of giving us more time to enjoy by our not having to do the “work” once required before the technological developments.  Yet Americans are working more and talk of being “stressed out” because we don’t have enough personal time away from disstressful responsibilities.

We live in the wealthiest country in the most affluent era of world history, yet we feel the affect of a financially “stressed out” society.  We live in an age of remarkable medical resources for living longer and healthier.  Though we have added more years to our life, we have not added more life to our years. What is going on?  The gap is caused by an age-old problem.

The gap of distress is caused by the disconnect of our living in a sin sick world and our faith in God in light of the world’s challenges.  Rather than placing our trust in God to form our lives, all too often we depend upon society & ourselves to get done what we can’t do alone.  And our inability stresses us out. 

The three key promises in faith are:

▪ Know that God understands our needs (see I Peter 5:7).

▪ Trust God because God is trustworthy.   And we become trustworthy as we allow God to shape us (see Matthew 6:33; 11:28-30).

▪ Trust God with our whole life and apply that faith to each life area, one day at a time (see Philippians 4:6-8).

When we look to our faith and trust in God first - rather than ourselves or society - our hopes & expectations are shaped by God’s promises and the stress which then comes with life is placed in His power and we are given the strength to fulfill His desires in our lives.

Healthy stress is a necessary part of healthy living.  This stress is the natural interplay of living out good priorities in healthy ways.  This is Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace, which Jesus used.

Pastor Les Hollon

“I have to learn that the aim in life is God’s, not mine.  God is using me from His great personal standpoint, and all He asks of me is that I trust Him, and never say - Lord, this gives me such heart-ache - He simply asks me to have implicit faith in Himself and in His goodness.”
-Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost For His Highest”

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of St. Matthews Baptist Church.  For more information about finding peace through faith, St. Matthews Baptist Church, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to St. Matthews Baptist Church.

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Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, St. Matthews Baptist Church

Normally, each December I schedule meeting times to be with members of my church whose beloved has passed on from earth to heaven.  Each time we have met to pray & share, I have been influenced by the courageous response each person had made to move forward while living with grief intensified by the holiday season.

This year, a trusted friend suggested that I write a letter to those who have lost loved ones.  After days of contemplating the letter my pastor’s heart wanted to write, I sat down last night in front of my Christmas tree to think of you and pray for you.  My hand picked up a pen, and I wrote the following: 

Maybe this Christmas you are sitting alone, looking at the tree you use to decorate with your beloved.  While remembering each ornament’s origin, you recall the Christmases you once formed and shared.  Sadness and gladness mix in the tears that moisten your eyes.

You find yourself again having to choose - am I mainly grateful for the life we shared that created these memories which enrich each of my days, or, am I more regretful that the “love of my life” is no longer beside me, holding my hand, calling me dear?

You pray – ‘Dear Lord, You know my pain.  Help me.  The absence aches within me so that I find it hard to feel Your presence.  And yet I know that by leaning into You, Your comfort will hold me close and Your counsel will guide me into choosing what is right.  And so I choose:

gladness to rule my sadness;

gratitude to govern my regret;

hope to answer my despair;

faith to shape my trust; and

love to light my soul.

You are Emmanuel, O Lord.  And my dear departed is now perfectly with You in heaven, while I am with You here on earth.  I rejoice in knowing afresh how You link together our worlds.  With the angels I sing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom Your favor rests.”  All that You request is for us to accept Your gift to receive, a choice to make.  My reply is a great “Yes” to the Christmas You have for me to live each day.’

With our love & prayers this Christmas season.

Pastor Les Hollon

This letter was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of St. Matthews Baptist Church.  For more information about embracing hope while dealing with the grief of losing a loved one, grief and hope, St. Matthews Baptist Church, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to St. Matthews Baptist Church.

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Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Blake Cothron

As the weather outside dips well below freezing and coughing and sneezing become common place, there are simple natural ways you can maximize your health now to stay healthy through winter. 

Through the years I’ve battled more colds, infections, and childhood ills than you can shake a bottle of Echinacea at.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve taken my health into my own hands and have discovered through much experimentation, old-time advice, and scientific evidence the great benefits of “natural healthcare”.  From diet to herbal supplements, there is an array of healthy, synthetic-chemical free ways to stay robust, energized, and healthy during the winter months, while minimizing discomfort and sickness. 

Attacking Weak Links

First off, we must understand that infections such as the cold and flu first attack weak links.  If you have a weak immune system, lack enough sleep, and have an unhealthy diet your risk for colds and disease rises exponentially.  People who follow very healthy, organic lifestyles get sick less.  Of course, everyone gets sick sometimes, period.  Scientists are discovering the age-old wisdom that diet is one of the foundations of good health.  In 431 BCE Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine” and I couldn’t agree more.  So we’ll start first on food as medicine. Read More »