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A National of Haters

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A Nation of Haters by AChuckALLEN

I read the following statistics in one of my favorite newsletters from Dr. Jim Denison. In the stats, one significant truth leaps off of the page. That stat? That we are nation that is not only radically divided, but we are a country that is rapidly growing in hate.

A recent survey found that 61 percent of Democrats view Republicans as “racist/bigoted/sexist”; 31 percent of Republicans feel the same way about Democrats. Fifty-four percent of Democrats consider Republicans to be “ignorant”; 49 percent of Republicans feel the same way about Democrats. And 44 percent of Democrats consider Republicans to be “spiteful”; 54 percent of Republicans feel this way about Democrats.

“Only 4 percent of each party consider the other party to be “fair.” Three percent of Democrats and 4 percent of Republicans consider the other party to be “thoughtful.” Two percent of Democrats and 3 percent of Republicans consider the other party to be “kind.”

In 1958, 33 percent of Democrats wanted their daughters to marry a Democrat; 25 percent of Republicans wanted their daughters to marry a Republican. In 2016, 60 percent of Democrats and 63 percent of Republicans felt that way.

Why is our political culture so vehemently divided? Is there anything we can do to change the vitriol of our day?“

If you are over 50 years of age, you might be tempted to think that this is generational and it must be those “millinneials.” If you are under 40 years of age, you might think that the problem must be the old guard. If you are under 30 years of age, you might think that it’s our time to fix this mess. And if you are under 20 years of age, you might actually have the guts to change this mess. All of that rant is simply my beliefs, but seriously…We are on the edge of implosion as a nation that is theoretically “Under God.”

Here are four ways that I think each of us can contribute to the solution of this nation of growing haters:

  • Stop taking any source of national news as truth. Please note that I said ANY SOURCE. If you lean right, Fox News is gospel. If you lean left, CNN is gospel. Instead of commentary, find the simple facts and ask the Lord of all Creation for wisdom to know the difference.
  • Engage the people in your spheres of influence and relationships with positive talk about what is good in this world, in your world and in the present moment. My grandmother was on point when she said, “if you don’t have anything good to say, it’s your fault.”
  • Go do good work! Help serve hungry people. Mentor marginalized kids and families. Give your time to worthy and honorable charities. Prop up and join organizations, churches, schools and businesses that are attempting to make the world a better and safer place, without postering for political camera time.
  • Start your day with gratitude. Nothing will change your attitude, conversations and actions more than sincere gratitude. I start every single day by writing down three things that I am grateful for right in that moment. They aren’t often lofty or benevolent, but they are sincere. And by the way, my gratitude is always pointed to the one that provides me life that day.
  • Go change the part of this world that you can influence for good.
  • Don’t grow weary in doing good.
  • Please don’t get sucked into the vortex of negative, hate-filled speech.
  • Determine to make your day awesome, regardless of the rest of the world’s fights.

PEACE, AChuck

I Can’t Breathe – Let’s March

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Race Forward: God in Race Relations is a new Podcast launching June 2020 on your favorite Podcast platform with Chuck Allen, Corron Boston, Mauricio Mennesses and a host of guests. A new show every Thursday starting 06.11.20

I Can’t Breathe – Let’s March by AChuckAllen

Nine Minutes! George Floyd had already been handcuffed and had already been detained. He was face down on the pavement with a policeman’s knee on his throat. I hope the images of George Floyd’s last moments of his life are etched into our country’s memory. It is gruesome. It is brutal. It is what murder looks like. It is insidious and it grieves the heart of God.

Before you get all self righteous and tell me to wait until we know more facts, STOP and ask yourself if a man on his stomach, handcuffed, apprehended and detained, with no weapon or means to cause harm, surrounded by at least four policemen could remotely pose a threat to them? I am not suggesting that George Floyd was a boy scout. I am in no way assuming that I know why law enforcement was called in the first place. What I DO KNOW is that the continued trend of young black men dying for no cause or reasoning is rooted and based in evil.

And, so we have millions of people, across all races and generations fed up with this useless hatred continuing in our country. As a result, we have millions that do not know quite what to do with that rage. But, friends, we must not fall prey to answering evil with greater evil. We must not answer hate with a greater force of hate. The world has proven that trying to match evil with a stronger degree of evil draws us into Satan’s trap of cyclical hatred and generational bigotry.

We march, chant, post signs and pray. We speak up, read up and shout. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was and is the greatest leader in my generation. Not because of his color or because it is politically expedient to claim that today, but because he created a movement of change when it seemed impossible to change. He and his group of progressive thinkers understood that true change is not change that is done to you. Change that is created and then welcomed, happens, not out of the destruction of property or people, but in the peaceful yet very loud voices of men and women that are fed up with both the hate and sin of racism and with the destruction of property that actually takes away from the main message of peace!

Dr. King said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

We must drop our hatred of any man or woman based on skin color, ethnicity, gender or faith system. We must let go of the ties that bind us in upheaval and riotous living. I can hear Dr. King saying that “A riot is the language of the unheard.” But we can listen better than this and we can speak in love that lifts us all above this insanity of rage.

So, we march. Then we march again. we march and we shout until listening ears hear well enough to know that the shouting voices have reached the hearts of leaders that then are moved to change. I am of the opinion that the constant game of blaming someone for everything is fueled by social media and mainstream media, and that includes whatever your favorite news outlet is. There is a natural bias within our broken, sinful state that is only cured by the presence and power of Christ Himself.

More to come, but for now, pray for peace in our country. Pray for change in our country. Pray for love to overwhelm our soul. Pray for black, brown and white people to grasp the reality that we have all been created in the image of the Almighty! And then pray some more.

Go in Peace,
AChuck

4forFRIDAY with ACHUCKAllen

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This Week’s 4forFRIDAY May 22, 2020

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 4forFRIDAY offers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings, and Reviews, simply for your enjoyment. Thanks Again! If you don’t already subscribe to my Weekday Meditation Podcast, I encourage you to check it out HERE.

A Good Business Read from INC Magazine: 3 Simple Lessons I’ve Learned Managing a Fully Remote Team

For a lot of people, working remotely is completely new. I mean, maybe it was something you did on Fridays when you didn’t have any meetings and you decided it would be nice to work from home. Maybe your company even encouraged that freedom. If you are working remotely, or want to do so, this is a good read.

Another Great Read from Stuart Stevens: Feeding Frenzy: Across Europe in Search of the Perfect Meal

A popular travel writer and his female weight-lifting partner, fashion maven, and gourmand embark on a madcap tour of all of the Michelin three-star restaurants in Europe–twenty-nine eateries in twenty-nine days–in a red Mustang. I’ve now completed three Stuart Stevens books and have loved them all.

A Great Ergonomic Mouse: Logitech MX Vertical Wireless Mouse – Advanced Ergonomic Design

This is a game changing piece of technology. It’s fast, ergonomically designed and easy to set up. It’s pricey, but it’s the best mouse that I’ve ever used.

A Great App for Campers: HipCamp

This is the AirBnB app for campers and glampers. It’s a nationwide tool that allows you to discover camping and glam ping sites across the nation for any level
of outdoor enthusiasts.

My Spiritual Journals, Power Routines are now available at the Sugar Hill Church Store and Amazon. Instigating the habits of Gratitude, Scripture Reading, Journaling and Guided Prayer is a powerful way to CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR LIFE! Pick up your copies of POWER ROUTINES at Sugar Hill Church or Amazon.

A Quote from Robert F. Kennedy

“Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their peers, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.”

The Weekday Podcast and the Weekday Meditation

The Podcast is a 5 minute/day, 5 day/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures. The Meditation is about 7 minutes/day, 5/day/week and is designed to give you a combined and guided prayer/meditation experience.

Both of these resources are available on the
Sugar Hill Church APP or WeekdayPodcast.com & WeekdayMeditation.com

Go in Peace, AChuck

Race and the White Church

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Race and the White Church by ACHUCKAllen

Here is my Disclaimer: I am a 60 year old white pastor of a 5,000 member church. I am not a radical, or a racist. I am not campaigning or looking for any platform. I am the product of a father that introduced me to living with and loving friends that are black and brown. His father was not that guy. My Pop was a George Wallace supporter and the concept of me attending a Jr. High School that was 50% white and 50% black mortified him. He wouldn’t allow me to swim in public pools with black friends. That’s my disclaimer.

Here is my Admission: I am a 60 year old pastor of a 5,000 member church. I pray for and deeply desire a community and church that is welcoming and aggressively generous in loving people – ALL PEOPLE – with a God-honoring love. I do not think we, the church, can ignore that fact that racism is still alive in the good ol USofA. If you need any proof of that, look to Brunswick, Georgia. The real admission comes to a boil with the following statement…I haven’t done a blessed thing (of substance) to make things better, all while claiming that I want to pastor a diverse congregation. Ouch, that’ stings.

Here is my Hope: That with all of the division in America, including political, racial, spiritual and financial, the last thing I want to do is jump on the bandwagon and pile on the already proven realities that to fix blame without fixing problems is a waste of energy and time. My hope includes the ability to, as my friend Corron Boston would say eat together, talk together and serve together. Some of the most meaningful times in my life have been around a meal. Many of my dearest friendships started around the table, while sharing food and drink. My belief is that when any person feels that they belong, they find it so much easier to believe. Around that table, we will share meaningful conversations about meaningful subjects. They may start on the surface, but if we are to create a lasting change, we need consistent conversation, up close. It’s easy to label people from a distance. It’s far more likely to share hurts, hopes and joy with people you really know. I’ve seen it happen hundreds of times; When we sit and eat together, we will naturally share and pray together. When we share, we begin to understand one another and love one another for who we are and who we are Christ. It seems that we also learn how to serve another and we then join together in serving others.

Here is my Challenge: Make a choice to be intentional about broadening your relationships, especially with people/families that do not look like you or is a part of your existing relationships. Make sure you talk with and listen to your new relationships. Be sensitive, but not politically correct. Speak openly, honestly, and how you speak with your present groups of friends. Hear me though! Check your expectations at the door and invest in long term relationships. This is a lead strategy for a better future and not everyone wants to adopt it. but you can!

I realize that this simple step doesn’t correct the statistics of young black men being incarcerated or targeted. I realize that it doesn’t solve the fear, the hurt, and the full integration of people from all races and religions. But I do know this, we must start somewhere.

Churches like, Sugar Hill Church, in the Atlanta suburbs can and must diversify in at least five ways.

  • We Must Build Diverse Communities. Communities that see past our skin color or our faith history. Jesus left absolutely no wiggle room for preferential treatment based on gender, socio-economics, race, or education.
  • We Must Speak Up! To assume that this is “our problem,” is equivalent to saying that the Sermon on the Mount doesn’t apply to us. Come on, man!
  • We must get aggressive in one life-altering position. We absolutely must get aggressive in the attitude and action of loving one another! We aren’t the judge of who we are to love. We are to love one another. That “one another” statement doesn’t allow for human preference of prejudice. It is literally that simple – We are to love a one another…black, white brown or purple!
  • We must not buy into the theory that “we have come so far when is enough?” That would be an uneducated and head in the sand statement that any Follower of Jesus would declare as far less than Christ-like.

I’ll wrap this up with two statements:

  1. This is about your heart…and mine. We cannot sit in all white churches and assume that it is because we have “a different culture.” The integration of the Sunday morning worship hour is a reflection of our heart and our unyielding pursuit of loving one another!
  2. There probably is no finish line in this effort. Let us strive for the rest of our days to model the life of Jesus and His teaching. Let us never settle for awkward, racial tensions when we can do, act and live far better!

Go in Peace, AChuck

4forFRIDAY with AChuckAllen

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This Week’s 4forFRIDAY May 15, 2020

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 4forFRIDAY offers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings, and Reviews, simply for your enjoyment. Thanks Again! If you don’t already subscribe to my Weekday Meditation Podcast, I encourage you to check it out HERE.

Another Great Reda from Stuart Stevens: The Big Enchilada: Campaign Adventures with the Cockeyed Optimists from Texas Who Won the Biggest Prize in Politics 

Stuart Stevens is funny, sarcastic, sincere, and a great writer. I recommended another Steven’s book last week. This book will keep you connected from page one to the end. An insider on the Bush campaign shares intimate details of the Texas governor’s rise to the presidency, from sketching strategy on a napkin to preparing for the all-important presidential debates.

An Inexpensive but Powerful Sound Bar: Soundbar, TV Sound Bar 2.0 Channel, RGB LED Display Wireless Soundbar Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo Speakers 20W w/Air Tube, Remote Control 3 Equalizer, Connects to Bluetooth, AUX, USB, DC for TV PC Gaming

Affordable, great sound! Soundbar, TV Sound Bar 2.0 Channel, RGB LED Display Wireless Soundbar Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo Speakers 20W w/Air Tube, Remote Control 3 Equalizer, Connects to Bluetooth, AUX, USB, DC for TV PC Gaming`

A Good Article from Pastor Scott Sauls: When It All Still Hurts A Month After Easter

Scott is one of my favorite authors. Here is the first paragraph from this article: It’s a month after Easter, and the resurrection has been sung about, preached about, and celebrated. And yet, the world is still bruised. As one writer has said, we are Easter people living in a Good Friday world. At least for now, we still live with the groans spoken of in Romans 8, the thorns in the flesh spoken of in 2 Corinthians 12, the sorrows and fears spoken of in the Psalms, and the death, mourning, crying, and pain spoken of in Revelation 21.

A Fun Tool if You are Bored with Your Zoom Background: The 28 Best Zoom Backgrounds You Can Download Right Now for Free

My favorite is the West Elm and the Star Wars Backgrounds. Depending on if you’re chatting for work or play, you can choose from traditional virtual backgrounds to mimic a West Elm showroom, or step into your favorite movies and TV shows with backgrounds inspired by The Golden Girls, Hallmark Channel, and Disney films.

My Spiritual Journals, Power Routines are now available at the Sugar Hill Church Store and Amazon. Instigating the habits of Gratitude, Scripture Reading, Journaling and Guided Prayer is a powerful way to CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR LIFE! Pick up your copies of POWER ROUTINES at Sugar Hill Church or Amazon. The Brand New Volume 5 will be out next week!

A Quote from Ravi Zacharias

“Love is a commitment that will be tested in the most vulnerable areas of spirituality, a commitment that will force you to make some very difficult choices.”

The Weekday Podcast and the Weekday Meditation

The Podcast is a 5 minute/day, 5 day/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures. The Meditation is about 7 minutes/day, 5/day/week and is designed to give you a combined and guided prayer/meditation experience.

Both of these resources are available on the Sugar Hill Church APP or WeekdayPodcast.com & WeekdayMeditation.com

Go in Peace, AChuck

4forFRIDAY with AChuckAllen

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This Week’s 4forFRIDAY May 8, 2020

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 4forFRIDAY offers recommended Reads, Listens, Learnings, and Reviews, simply for your enjoyment. Thanks Again! If you don’t already subscribe to my Weekday Meditation Podcast, I encourage you to check it out HERE.

A Book that was So Much Fun: The Last Season: A Father, a Son, and a Lifetime of College Football

This was such a fun read! If you love football and if you and your dad loved football – READ THIS BOOK! It’s a feel-good, warm your heart kind of book. I loved it! Fathers, sons, and sports are enduring themes of American literature. Here, in this fresh and moving account, a son returns to his native South to spend a special autumn with his ninety-five-year-old dad, sharing the unique joys, disappointments, and life lessons of Saturdays with their beloved Ole Miss Rebels.love

A Pair of Comfortable Summer Shoes I Love: Huk Brewster Casual Shoes

Super comfortable and no socks! I love these shoes for jeans, shorts, church or fishing. You’ll thank me!

A Book that Made Me Think: The 3-Minute Rule: Say Less to Get More from Any Pitch or Presentation

It’s not light reading, but if you speak, present, teach or sell anything, read this book. It will sharpen you and your speech in a million little ways. My good friend, Bobby McGraw turned me on to this excellent read!

A Desk Accessory that I Use Non-Stop: Quartet Glass Dry Erase Desktop 

I use this on my home desk for reminders, phone notes, bright ideas, and just about everything. It’s easy, sharp looking and has a nice storage tray.

My Spiritual Journals, Power Routines are now available at the Sugar Hill Church Store and Amazon. Instigating the habits of Gratitude, Scripture Reading, Journaling and Guided Prayer is a powerful way to CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF YOUR LIFE! Pick up your copies of POWER ROUTINES at Sugar Hill Church or Amazon. The Brand New Volume 5 will be out next week!

A Quote from Clare Boothe Luce

“There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them.”

The Weekday Podcast and the Weekday Meditation

The Podcast is a 5 minute/day, 5 day/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures. The Meditation is about 7 minutes/day, 5/day/week and is designed to give you a combined and guided prayer/meditation experience.

Both of these resources are available on the Sugar Hill Church APP or WeekdayPodcast.com & WeekdayMeditation.com

Go in Peace, AChuck

Prayer’s Exclamation Point

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Saturday Share from AChuckAllen

by John Piper

All the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Prayer is a response to promises, that is, to the assurances of God’s future grace.

Prayer is drawing on the account where God has deposited all his stores of future grace.

Prayer is not hoping in the dark that there might be a God of good intentions out there. Prayer banks on the promise of God, and goes to the bank every day and draws on stores of future grace needed for that day.

Don’t miss the connection between the two halves of this great verse. Notice the “that is why”: “All the promises of God are Yes in Christ. That is why (therefore) we pray Amen through him, to God’s glory.”

To make sure we see it, let’s turn the two halves around: When we pray, we say Amen to God through Christ, because God has said a decisive Amen to all his promises in Christ. Prayer is the confident plea for God to make good on his promises of future grace — for Christ’s sake. Prayer links our faith in future grace with the foundation of it all, Jesus Christ.

Which leads to the final point: “Amen” is a full and precious word in times of prayer. It doesn’t mean primarily, “Yes, I have now said this prayer.” It means primarily, “Yes, God has made all these promises.”

Amen means, “Yes, Lord, you can do it.” It means, “Yes, Lord, you are powerful. Yes, Lord, you are wise. Yes, Lord, you are merciful. Yes, Lord, all future grace comes from you and has been confirmed in Christ.”

“Amen” is an exclamation point of hope and warranted confidence after a prayer for help.

That’s so Good, AChuck

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