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4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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SELECTED READS, LISTENS, LEARNINGS, AND REVIEWS for March 5, 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 Really Good and Brief Read: Five More Minutes

One of my go-to authors, Terry Hershey, offers a fresh and insightful mindset to our daily grind and need to find peace, perspective, and patience in the journey.

A Really Good Movie on Netflix: Operation Finale

In 1960, the search for the Designer of the Master Plan” that would murder millions of innocent Jewish people, Adolf Eichman kicks into full speed. This is a really good film.

A Great Snack from Amazon or Costco: Sonoma Creamery Cheese Crisps – Pepper Jack Savory Cheese Cracker

If you like a little kick to your snacks, this is for you. Sonoma Creamery Pepper Jack Cheese Crisps are lightly baked Crunchy Real Cheese™ Snacks. Based on their famous Sonoma Hot Pepper Jack recipe, they bake in 10-month Aged Parmesan and a sprinkling of certified Gluten-Free organic ancient grains for a crunchy, craveable bite.

A Must-Read for Zoom Effectiveness: Why Leading a Remote Team Requires Radical Candor

In our now normal Zoom world, it’s important to equip yourself with the best tools to maximize your zoom experience. Whether you run a company, lead a team, or just by yourself navigating the challenges of working with others at a moment of uncertainty and social distance, it’s obvious why it’s important to care personally about your colleagues now more than ever.

A Quote from Rabbi Abraham Heschel

“I would say an individual dies when he (she) ceases to be surprised. What keeps me alive–spiritually, emotionally, intellectually–is my ability to be surprised. I say, I take nothing for granted. I am surprised every morning that I see the sun shine 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 with Chuck Allen

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MAY 6, 2022

Watch the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, in 180 seconds

If satirical humor doesn’t amuse you, move on to the next suggestion.
This is truly some funny stuff.
FIND IT HERE

–CHUCK

THE CHOSEN – JOHN 3:16 IN VIDEO

I’ve suggested this amazing series to everyone that will listen. I urge you to watch this interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus.
FIND IT HERE

–Chuck

THIS MORNING ROUTINE WILL SAVE YOU 20+ HOURS PER WEEK

Wondering how to be more productive and discover more time for what you want to do? This article is for you!
FIND IT HERE

– Chuck

SUCH A GREAT BOOK ON AUDIBLE: Sacred Rhythms; Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation

This playlist Do you long for a deep, fundamental change in your life with God? Do you desire a greater intimacy with God? Do you wonder how you might truly live your life as God created you to live it? Spiritual disciplines are activities that open us to God’s transforming love and the changes that only God can bring about in our lives. Picking up on the monastic tradition of creating a “rule of life” that allows for regular space for the practice of the spiritual disciplines, this book takes you more deeply into understanding seven key disciplines along with practical ideas for weaving them into everyday life. Each chapter includes exercises to help you begin the practices – individually and in a group context. The final chapter puts it all together in a way that will help you arrange your life for spiritual transformation. The choice to establish your own sacred rhythm is the most important choice you can make with your life.
FIND IT HERE

– Audible

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4for FRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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APRIL 29, 2022

EVER WONDERED IF YOU’LL BE MARRIED IN HEAVEN? This is the Best Explanation that I’ve Ever Read.

Although Scripture can be a bit enigmatic about the nature of heaven, Jesus does make one thing clear in the Gospel of Luke: even if we marry on this earth to an earthly spouse, we will not stay married to them in heaven. One may wonder how this question comes about. Of all the things to wonder about heaven, a spouse doesn’t necessarily top the list of questions one may think to ask. However, it seems reasonable that Christians may wonder about this. Many Christians have lost a spouse along the way and want to reunite with them in heaven.

FIND IT HERE

–CROSSWAY

THIS WAS FASCINATING: The Divergent Association Task measures verbal creativity in under 4 minutes.

It involves thinking of unrelated ideas. People who are more creative tend to think of ideas with greater “distances” between them. I recommend that you take the test before you learn more about it. You can also read a CNN article on the task or read our open-access manuscript in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Click the link below for each of these…you will be challenged, I promise.

FIND IT HERE

–Chuck

A PRETTY COOL FLY-THROUGH OF TESLA’S GIGA PLANT IN BERLIN, GERMANY.

This is quick and pretty dang amazing. The technology and quality of these all electric vehicles is amazing!
FIND IT HERE

– Chuck

A SPOTIFY PLAYLIST FOR LOVERS: FROM GRACE MARRIAGE.

This playlist was curated and used at our Grace Marriage events at Sugar Hill Church.
It’s just fun music that you can dance to, sing with, and remember every single word!
FIND IT HERE

– Chuck

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY April 22, 2022

A LETTER TO YOURSELF – PLEASE DO THIS: FUTURE ME

Each year, the week after Easter I send myself a letter to the “future me.” I describe the person that I pray I’ve become and remind myself of where I’ve come from. Everyone can benefit from this internal review and inspection. FIND IT HERE

–Chuck

A VIDEO SERIES THAT WAS GREAT: PACHINKO

I couldn’t imagine this to be as good as it was. I am really enjoying this heartfelt and wonderfully produced series from Apple TV. Created from the best selling novel of the same name, this series will really pull at your heartstrings. . FIND IT HERE

–Chuck

SUCH A THOUGHT PROVOKING ARTICLE FROM YUVAL LEVIN: HOW TO CURB THE CULTURE WAR

Have you ever wondered how the world got to the point of radical anger and hatred? YUVAL Levin has the best description of how we have become the most divisive generation ever.
FIND IT HERE

– Chuck

A SPOTIFY PLAYLIST THAT IS SO GOOD: EASTER

It’s not just for Easter! This is a favorite playlist in my office, car and home. Don’t miss “Believe For It” by CeCe Winans.
FIND IT HERE

– Chuck

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY | Good Friday Edition

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4forFRIDAY April 15, 2022

A GREAT QUOTE FROM JAMES CLEAR

“Many good opportunities are ruined for the dream of slightly better ones. Would you have a more successful career if you had taken that other job or moved cities? Possibly. But your actual career will suffer if you don’t commit to doing it to the best of your ability. Would you be 10% happier in a different relationship? Maybe. Maybe not. But you’ll definitely be unhappy in the one you have if you spend all day thinking about what else is out there. The surefire way to end up worse off is to agonize over unchosen options and fail to make the most of the one you selected. Every minute spent yearning for your unlived lives is a moment you can’t invest in the one you actually have. Choices matter, but so does your level of commitment.”
FIND IT HERE

–James Clear

A FASCINATING DOCUMENTARY ON HILLSONG CHURCH

This three-part series is heart-wrenching to watch and an excellent reminder to all churches that we are accountable for our actions and reactions. FIND IT HERE

-Chuck

AN AWESOME AUDIBLE BOOK FROM BOB GOFF
UNDISTRACTED; CAPTURE YOUR PURPOSE & REDISCOVER YOUR JOY

This is a roughly 5 – hour listen, but it is so good, I haven’t been a huge Bob Goff fan until listened to this wonderful book. I cannot encourage you enough to listen in!
FIND IT HERE

– Chuck

A TRULY INCREDIBLE READ: THE LAST SUPPER ON THE MOON

In Psalm 8 David urges us to consider the heavens, to look up at the night sky. Doing so will help you discover fundamental truths about God. Namely, that—even though his love for you is as beyond comprehension as the farthest corners of the universe—through his Son, you can grab hold of it, and it has the power to transform your inner space.
FIND IT HERE

– Amazon Prime

Go in Peace, Chuck

THREE WAYS TO BEAT THE MONDAY BLUES

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April 18, 2022

“Monday, Monday, so good to me.” The Mamas and the Papas launched that song in 1966. There have been a few changes in the world since ‘66.

But Monday hasn’t changed much. It is still the day that most of us never look forward to.

Monday has a special significance in our culture as the beginning of the week, which influences our mood and our physical, emotional, and spiritual health outcomes

The 7-day week and the meaning we associate with the days of the week is a social construct, and not based on biological or planetary cycles. But a host of negative outcomes, such as heart attacks and strokes, happen more frequently on Mondays as people transition back to the structured routine of the week.

Something about that doesn’t seem right. Furthermore, we shouldn’t give in to that. If it really is a social construct, and we can choose to make Monday better, why not do that?

A 2021 nationwide survey conducted by the Data Decisions Group tracked awareness and behavior related to Mondays and healthy behaviors. While 11% of people report that Monday is “a day to dread”, many people see Monday positively. They view it as an opportunity for a “fresh start” (40%) and a day to “get my act together” (18%).

83% of responders to the survey agreed that starting the week off healthy would help maintain a focus on health for the rest of the week.

Over the past few months, I’ve been radically focused on becoming a healthier husband, dad, grandad and pastor. I’ve learned the following three ways to kickoff my workweek. Please keep in mind that I’m a pastor. As a result, Monday morning could possibly be a bummer of a let down. But I’ve learned to make Monday one of my favorite days of the week.

1. PLAN YOUR WEEK ON SUNDAY EVENING.

You may not want to, but taking ten minutes to review your calendar, make appropriate adjustments, and make a few notes of a few things you need to add and delete to your schedule is one of the most impactful things you can invest ten-minutes in, always.

Make a very short list of four things you MUST accomplish this week. Write them down! Then prioritize them.

Keep that in front of you.

2. Set limits on the amount of time that you will spend that week on social media, television and enthralled with your smart devices.

Simple awareness of the time you spend on these often worthless efforts is half of your personal productivity and peace perspective.

Earl Sweatshirt once said, “Everyone’s like sheep on social media; like, one person starts making noise, and everyone’s like, ‘Hey, yeah!’ and then you got a whole bunch of people making noise at you.”

And, whether you like it or not, the man trying to buy Twitter said, “I think there should be regulations on social media to the degree that it negatively affects the public good.” -Elon Musk

Don’t let the addictive dopamine hit of a like, follow or friend determine your day, week, or attitude.

3. Determine to Rise Ten-Minutes Early Each Weekday.

Rising just 10-minutes early allows you room to do three things – yes I know I sound like a broken record – but this has had such a radical impact on my mental, emotional, and spiritual health. First, write down three things that you are grateful for. Don’t get all spiritual or intellectual on me. Keep it simple, but write it down. Second, read one chapter of the Bible-book of Proverbs. There’s 31 chapters. How ‘bout that? Third, write down 4-5 words that describe the person that you want to be or become this week. Again, keep it clear. Keep it simple. Keep it real.

As the Mamas and the Papas once sang, “Monday, Monday, so good to me. Every other day, every other day. Every other day, every other day of the week is fine, yeah.But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes. But whenever Monday comes, you can find me cryin’ all of the time”

I think I will choose a better Monday. How about you?

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

by

4forFRIDAY April 8, 2022

A GREAT SERIES FROM HBO+ with BRENE BROWN

This Is so fascinating. Based on Brené Brown’s b recent book, “Atlas of the Heart.” She has a potty-mouth, but the content is so, so good. I am an unashamed Brené brown fan. Her research based writing around the human emotions and feelings can help anyone in thier interpersonal relationships.

–Chuck

A BOOK THAT SHARPENED ME: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership

Easily on eof the best books that I have ever read. Our staff team is reading it together and it has really touched my soul. From Amazon; “Each chapter includes a spiritual practice to ensure your soul gets the nourishment it needs. Forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God is the best choice you can make for yourself and for those you lead.”

-Amazon and Chuck

A Kitchen Gadget I Love: SodaStream Terra

I love sparkling water and I love carbonated diet drinks. This has me drinking more water and less soft drinks than ever before. My mother in law gave me this gadget and love it. I think you might as well. My favorite flavor is Bubly Lime.

– Chuck

A GREAT PODCAST FROM MOODY PUBLISHERS: The Other Half of Church

This is what happens when you blend psychology, temperament, personalities and shove them all under the umbrella of the American church and BOOM! I have learned so much from thisd podcast!

– Chuck

BONUS: A GREAT QUOTE FROM A GREAT BOOK

“I really want to encourage you not to despair, not to lose faith, not to let go of God in your life, but stand in your suffering as a person who believes that she is deeply loved by God. When you look inside yourself, you might sometimes be overwhelmed by all the brokenness and confusion, but when you look outside toward him who died on the cross for you, you might suddenly realize that your brokenness has been lived through for you long before you touched it yourself.”

From the Book, This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson

Go in Peace, Chuck