Achuckallen

Instigating Better

AChuckAllen

4forFRIDAY 2.26.21

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SELECTED READS, LISTENS, LEARNINGS, AND REVIEWS for February 26, 2021

I love to share good reads, learnings, listens, and reviews with friends and followers. So, thanks for joining me on my 4forFRIDAY BLOG. Each week, the 4forFRIDAYoffers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings, and Reviews, for your enjoyment. Thanks Again!

A Podcast I am Really Enjoying: Meaningful Conversations with Maria Shriver

Maria Shriver is a really good interviewer and I am finding that some topics don’t really appeal to me, but many do. Give it a listen, and I think you’ll be encouraged and challenged. Building on the success of her instant No. 1 NY Times-bestselling book I’ve Been Thinking…Reflections, Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life, Maria Shriver continues to explore the life topics, issues, and ideas that we’re all thinking about.

A Good Book that Really Made Me Think: Doing Life with Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out

In Doing Life with Your Adult Children, parenting expert Jim Burns helps you navigate one of the richest and most challenging seasons of parenting. Speaking from his own personal and professional experience, Burns offers practical answers to questions such as these:
Is it OK to give advice to my grown child?
What’s the difference between enabling and helping?
What boundaries should I have if my child moves back home?
What do I do when my child doesn’t seem to be maturing into adulthood?
How do I relate to my grown child’s significant other?
What does it mean to have healthy financial boundaries?
How can I support my grown children when I don’t support their values?

My New Favorite on Netflix Series: Somebody Feed Phil

Put a New York, Jewish film television writer in the most unique places, like Greeneville, Mississippi, and watch a great interaction with people and visit some extraordinary places to eat. I love this show. Especially the episode in the Mississippi Delta.

Have You Tried Wendy’s Breakfast? You Really Should

This historically burger-only chain broke out breakfast last year, and I was slow to the party. I saw the pics and ads, but just couldn’t imagine it being good. If you are a sausage biscuit specialist, you really need to get past a square patty and go for the sausage biscuit with cheese. It really is so unhealthy and so stinking delicious. You might change your morning routine.

A Quote from James Clear

“School requires you to learn about things after the answer has already been decided. Life requires you to learn about things while the answer is in the process of being decided.”

Five years from now, you’ll be the same person you are today, other than the books you read, the places you go, and the people you meet.

The Weekday Podcast is a 5 minutes/day, 5 days/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures.
New episodes are available Monday – Friday on the
Sugar Hill Church APP or at WeekdayPodcast.com

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY 02.19.21

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SELECTED READS, LISTENS, LEARNINGS, AND REVIEWS for February 19, 2021

I love to share good reads, learnings, listens, and reviews with friends and followers. So, thanks for joining me on my 4forFRIDAY BLOG. Each week, the 4forFRIDAYoffers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings, and Reviews, for your enjoyment. Thanks Again!

A Great Book from Paul David Tripp:
Journey to the Cross, A 40-Day Lenten Devotional

I am being challenged daily by the writings in “The Journey to the Cross.” In this forty-day Lenten devotional, best-selling author Paul David Tripp invites us to set aside time from the busyness of our lives to focus on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. Each of the short readings encourages us to abide in the abundant joy found in Christ as we encounter the Savior more fully and follow him more faithfully during this Lenten season.

My New Favorite APP: SPEECHIFY

This app is amazing. Just drop any text, article, web clip, document, pdf, text, email into it, and pick your voice. Then let Speechify read it to you slowly, normally, or rapidly. You can listen to anything and maximize your drive time or exercise time. Have your papers, documents, and emails read out to you in world-class voices. Listening is faster, more accurate, and more flexible than reading.

A Great Netflix Series: Chef’s Table, BARBECUE

Okay, I know I have been on a roll with cooking and travel shows lately, but this show has both. Be sure to start with the show on the Mississippi Delta. It’s so good. Who’s up for a road trip to Greenville, Mississippi? Everybody Loves Raymond” creator Phil Rosenthal travels the globe to take in the local cuisine and culture of Bangkok, Lisbon, Mexico City, and more.

An Article Every Christian Should Read:
“One-Sentence Summaries of Every Old Testament Book“

Have trouble grasping the Old Testament? Wondering what’s the big deal and can’t we just live in the New Testament? The Old and New Testaments of the Bible, comprised of 66 books, tell one cohesive story of redemption, climaxing in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Savior! The Old Testament is vital to understanding why the story of Jesus is so critical in the New Testament. In less than 10 minutes, you can read through the key elements of this wonderous first segment of scripture.

A Quote from Tanya Marlow

“Throughout the Bible, God is on the side of the oppressed, not the oppressor, over and over again, and we are called to defend not the latter but the former.”

From Thorns and Gold | The Bible, suffering, and the messy edges of life

Five years from now, you’ll be the same person you are today, other than the books you read, the places you go, and the people you meet.

The Weekday Podcast is a 5 minutes/day, 5 days/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures.
New episodes are available Monday – Friday on the
Sugar Hill Church APP or at WeekdayPodcast.com

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY February 12, 2021

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Five years from now, you’ll be the same person you are today, other than the books you read, the places you go, and the people you meet.

I love to share good reads, learnings, listens, and reviews with friends and followers. So, thanks for joining me on my 4forFRIDAY BLOG. Each week, the 4forFRIDAYoffers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings, and Reviews, only for your enjoyment. Thanks Again!

A Fun Movie from Amazon Prime Video: Bottle Shock

I don’t know anything about wine, but this is an entertaining movie that tells the story of the NAPA Valley, true story of their rivalry with the snobbish French press and wine enthusiasts. It’s fun for anybody, including some clueless dude like me.

A Solid Podcast Interview with Santha Brody: Beyond the To-Do List

For decades, Dr. Samantha has helped people to transform their lives with her innovative approach. Now you can use the same tested tools and guidance to experience the freedom of better health, greater resilience, and peace of mind.

A Great Netflix Series: Chef’s Table, BARBECUE

If you’ve been a regular on the 4forFRIDAY, you know that I love the series, Chef’s Table. The barbecue version is even better. Be sure to watch the episode of Tootsie from West Texas. It’s a great story.

An Interesting Listen from Super Soul Sunday: An Interview with Tom Brady

You might dislike him, but he has now played in 10 Super Bowls, and won 7 of them. This guy is the GOAT. In a rare interview from 2018, superstar quarterback Tom Brady, often called “the greatest quarterback of all-time,” reveals what he believes is the key to his longevity and success. At the time of this interview, he was 40 years old. Brady discusses his #1 New York Times best-selling book, The TB12 Method, what he still wants to accomplish and his approach to mind, body and spiritual balance. Tom also shares how he found resilience after the headline-grabbing “deflategate” controversy, and how he and his team chose to address NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem. Plus, his supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen stops by to support her husband as he talks about parenting, marriage and his childhood.

A Quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald

“For what it’s worth: It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you find you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over again.”

The Weekday Podcast is a 5 minutes/day, 5 days/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures.
New episodes are available Monday – Friday on the
Sugar Hill Church APP or at WeekdayPodcast.com

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY February 5, 2021

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February 5, 2021

Five years from now, you’ll be the same person you are today, other than the books you read, the places you go, and the people you meet. 

I love to share good reads, learnings, listens, and reviews with friends and followers. So, thanks for joining me on my 4forFRIDAY BLOG. Each week, the 4forFRIDAYoffers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings, and Reviews, only for your enjoyment. Thanks Again!

A Really Solid Song from Danny Goeke: Tell Your Heart to Beat Again

I absolutely love these lyrics and have been listening to this song as a part of my morning meditations. Enjoy!

A Great Movie from Netflix: The Dig

In this pre-WWII setting, an English woman sets out to hire a man to begin excavating and exploring mounds in her fields. The story, based on truth is most fascinating. I think you’ll enjoy this film starring Ralph Fiennes.

A Really, Really Good Caramel Cake from Patton’s Meat Market

Nope, it’s not a typo. The cakes at Patton’s Meat Market are simply amazing. The caramel cake will remind you of grandma’s. I imagine some ladies making these in an old kitchen and then playing bridge while they wait for them to bake.

A Great and Thought Provoking Article from Scott Sauls: “When a Father Wound Defines You”

This should be required reading for every Christian. The opening lines from this article read… “I have said it before and I will say it again. I am comforted—deeply so—by the fact that God put so many misfits and insecure people in the Bible and then accomplished beautiful things through their lives.” Be sure to take 10 minutes and read this article.

A Quote from R.C Sproul

“The only way the kingdom of God is going to be manifest in this world before Christ comes is if we manifest it by the way we live as citizens of heaven and subjects of the King.”

The Weekday Podcast is a 5 minutes/day, 5 days/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures.
New episodes are available Monday – Friday on the 
Sugar Hill Church APP or at WeekdayPodcast.com

Go in Peace, Chuck

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4forFRIDAY January 29, 2021

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01.29.2021

Five years from now, you’ll be the same person you are today, other than the books you read, the places you go, and the people you meet.

I love to share good reads, learnings, listens, and reviews with friends and followers. So, thanks for joining me on my 4forFRIDAY BLOG. Each week, the 4forFRIDAYoffers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings, and Reviews, only for your enjoyment. Thanks Again!

A Fantastic Book from Jim Denison: To Follow in His Footsteps: A Daily Walk with Jesus through the Holy Land

From the soaring peaks of Mount Hermon to the watery depths of the Dead Sea . . .From the bustling city of Tel Aviv to the ancient ruins of Masada . . . From a Bethlehem stable to an empty tomb outside of Jerusalem . . . In To Follow in His Footsteps: A Daily Walk with Jesus through the Holy Land, you will experience Jesus at dozens of sites where he made his indelible and eternal mark on the world. This is a fantastic devotional book that includes the most thoughtful and well-crafted book I’ve seen on the Holy Land. Dr. Denison is my favorite author, and he has created a beautiful piece of art hand literature. You should get this book!

A Great Video Teaching from Joe Sangl; 9 Rungs to Your Fully Funded Life

I typical Joe Sangl fashion, this is fast-paced, super-sharp teaching that will help you get your financial dreams on track, on point, and fully funded. If you’ve ever wondered what your next step is in creating a financially secure future, watch everything you can from our friend, Joe Sangl.

A Fun, Binge-Worthy Show on Netflix: Monarca

This Netflix series feels like part soap opera and part cartel docu-series. The patriarch of this crazy Mexican family is murdered, and his daughter is trying to revive their family business, including the Monarca Tequila Company. It’s just mindless fun.

A Great Chicken Pot Pie, Southern Baked Pie Company

A dear friend brought us a chicken pot pie that was better than homemade. It was full of white meat, vegetables and the crust was so light and flaky. It was so good! You will be so happy that you got a pie from Southern Baked Pie Company.

A Quote from Richard Rohr

“Faith is not for overcoming obstacles; it is for experiencing them—all the way through!”

The Weekday Podcast is a 5 minutes/day, 5 days/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures.
New episodes are available Monday – Friday on the
Sugar Hill Church APP or at WeekdayPodcast.com

Go in Peace, Chuck

When You are Overwhelmed

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Have you ever felt like you cannot win? I’m talking about that feeling you get when you’ve tried and struggled and worked your way through a day, and everything falls apart. Me too. So many of us are living in the middle of OVERWHELM. But here is what I would encourage you to do. If you want to escape overwhelm, here is how to do it. It worked for me, and I am confident that it will work for you.

1. Stop whatever you are doing and make a mental note of what you are grateful for right now. I know it sounds so simple, but I’ve learned how powerful the emotion and expression of gratitude can be. It will reset your soul like no other experience. Gratitude isn’t just for contemplative people. Gratitude is for every human on the planet. When you are overwhelmed, lean into gratitude. Take note of two things you are grateful for. It will reset your soul on a trajectory of peace and contentment.

2. Help someone. It’s not about how much you help or what exactly you do. Jesus said that people that aspire to great must learn to serve others. If you feel like there is nothing that’s going right in your life, do something to help someone else, and I’ll promise that your attitude and your heart will turn around and reset your day. It’s like magic. Serve others and watch how it changes your perspective and reality. Acts 30:35 makes this point clear, “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, when He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

3. Stop in your tracks and ask the Divine for Wisdom. We are a people that are overwhelmed with knowledge. I recently read that in 2020, all known knowledge is doubling every twelve hours. In 1982, inventor R. Buckminster Fuller estimated that up until 1900, human knowledge doubled every century, but by 1945 it was doubling every 25 years. And by 1982, it was doubling every 12-13 months. This may sound a little quaint since experts now believe that by 2020, human knowledge doubles every 12 hours. But the real question is, “How is it making us smarter?” We have more information and more knowledge than any generation in creation’s history. So, where is the wisdom that is needed to overcome our overwhelm? It’s right here in an ancient book, proven accurate a million times and then a million more. The Bible teaches us in the book of James, chapter 1 that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Did you read that? Ask for wisdom and you are promised to be given wisdom.

Most of this world is overwhelmed right now. You do not have to stay that way. Stop and be Grateful. Slow down long enough to serve someone. Discover enough humility to ask for help by asking the Creator, and Sustainer of the universe for WISDOM.
That is the key to OVERCOMING OVERWHELM.

—Chuck