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DORIAN and the BAHAMAS

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Dorian and the Bahamas by A-Chuck Allen

Where to start? Oh my stars! Hurricane Dorian came to the Bahamas and camped out on the little island of Freeport. On the east side of this tropical island, the best word to describe what I saw was DEVASTATION! There isn’t much that either wind or water hasn’t ruined on this place where sunshine and cruise ships connect affluent travelers to the clear aqua waters of the Caribbean.

It was hot and breezy when we arrived, and it didn’t take long to see that Dorian had left a calling card of trees snapped off like twigs and buildings destroyed by either the fierce winds or the water.

There isn’t enough fresh water here yet. The municipal water system is slowly catching up, but it’s nowhere near potable. Thank God for Convoy of Hope and Paula White Ministries. These folks have done a massive work already and eighteen-wheelers, filled with fresh water from Convoy of Hope are on their way. Paula White’s Chief of Staff, Todd Lamphere is a pretty amazing guy. He is like the hub that keeps the resources and the ministry work on track. Jensen Franklin’s ministry has jumped in and is providing huge support for the people here. One of my favorite groups, (of all time) is Operation Barbecue Relief. These guys, lead by a former Green Beret, with a prosthetic leg, is all in. Last year, Operation Barbecue Relief provided more than 1.2 million HOT meals following disasters and humanitarian crises. I’ve gotten to know these guys, through our work on the Southern Border and they are the real deal. They have committed more than 24,000 meals, each day. They are starting today with 5,000 meals and ramping up to 24,000 by Tuesday September 17.

I’ve seen people in triage units (thank you Samaritan’s Purse). I’ve seen people whose homes were literally washed away while they clung to trees, as the winds whipped and the water rose. But what I’ve really seen is the resilience of these fine people. It is fascinating. They aren’t looking for someone to come give them out of this mess. They want people to know that, with a little help, they can rebuild the Bahamas into an even better land.

Yes, I’ve seen some good people, doing some good work. Yes, I am proud of Sugar Hill Church for their sacrificial work. I am honored to be a small part of a process that is in full force, doing good work. But I am really, truly, encouraged at the faith community that has stepped in without regard to denominations and orthodoxy, and simply done good work for the Kingdom of God. My faith in our people and the people of the Bahamas is that we can indeed do more and do better, together. Between the sacrificial giving of God’s people, the willingness to go and serve people that could never repay you and the graciousness of a people that have just literally had their lives turned out to sea, my faith in our Creator is greater than ever.

His desire for His children to serve side by side,with no concern about who gets the credit, is being played out with the many faith focused partners here in the Bahamas.

Please join us. The needs are great and the people are more than worth it!

Go In Peace,
A-Chuck

One Change I Would Make in My 50’s

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One Change I Would Make in My 50’s by A-ChuckAllen

I’m closing in on 60 years old. YIKES! I remember thinking that 60 was really, really old. Now it seems like it’s still really old. I am a pretty happy guy. I have a great job, a great marriage, six healthy daughters and five grandkids. I love what I do, but if I could go back a decade, I’d change ONE THING!

That one thing, would be to put away more of my emotions and bank on something far greater. I have spent the better part of my adult life living on my gut feelings and my raw emotions. I can have huge swings in my attitudes and often in my emotions. I’ll bet that I am not alone in that. I’m a “Type A.” “DISC High D, ” action-oriented person with a radical bent toward performance and productivity. That doesn’t help my case, no matter how proudly my temperament screams that I’ve got my act together!

If I could change one big thing over the past decade it would be to engage something daily that would trump my emotions, ego, pride, perspectives and accolades. I know of one thing that can do all of that and then more. If I could have trusted God at His word ten years ago, I would have spent more intentional time in Meditation. Don’t skip out on me here. My word is meditation. Yours might be “quiet time” or “devotional.” I don’t particularly care what you call it, but I now know of it’s power.

About three years ago, I knew my life was on a rapid pace of change. I was becoming more aware of legacy and what I might someday leave behind. The certainty was that I needed something that could overwhelm my soul and all of the internal flaws and pride. I needed something that would infuse me with peace, power and daily direction.

I found that certain something in MEDITATION. It’s an art form of four spiritual disciplines – FOUR HABITS – GRATITUDE, SCRIPTURE READING, JOURNALING AND PRAYER. These habits have become my morning routine and I rarely miss them or misplace them.

I have found that when I start my day with gratitude, what I have is more than enough. When I start my day with an intentional desire to get a small sampling of God’s Word in my soul, my days are packed with peace and power. I have learned to enjoy journaling. Not keeping a diary, but answering a few short questions that remind me to capture what the Divine is doing in my life, and praying. In my case, praying includes speaking out loud to my Creator and then getting quiet and still so that I could train my heart, mind and soul to hear His voice. I’ve found that He is still in the talking business and we chat most days, hour by hour. He speaks in promptings and feelings. He speaks in hushed whispers and at times with what is the equivalent of a shout!

I looked everywhere to find a resource that could turn those four habits into a sustainable, daily resource, to no avail. As a result, I created a resource that I have test driven for three years. They became known, in my little head as “My Power Routines.”

I’ve now published three volumes of Power Routines in an effort to invite you into a fifteen minute discipline that is simplistic, sustainable and powerful. In just fifteen minutes, you can engage in the same four habits of GRATITUDE, SCRIPTURE READING, JOURNALING & PRAYER. I’ll walk you through every step. Each volume is a separate 30-day journey.

What’s the ONE THING that I’d change? My intentional effort to discover peace, power and direction through the spiritual habits of Power Routines.

I’d be so happy to hear how these POWER ROUTINES have helped you. Grab your copy of Volume 2 on Amazon RIGHT HERE!

I Can’t Wait to Hear From You!

A-Chuck

4forFRIDAY with A-ChuckAllen

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This week’s 4forFRIDAY September 6, 2019

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. If you missed the articles that I posted earlier this month regarding my trip to the Southern Border, you can find it HERE.

A Great Night of Fun: Bury the Hatchet Axe Throwing

We laughed and we threw axes. That should be enough, but when Abby (22 year old daughter) threw her axe into the television monitor keeping score, we all lost it. You’ll love this fun-filled place

A Really Good & Different Restaurant

We all enjoyed this little treat off 85 and Chamblee-Tucker. The chicken and rice was too stinking good. Fresh panko-crusted chicken and sticky white rice with a dash of soy sauce and you’ve got an affordable and tasty dinner.

A Really Solid Read: The Halo Effect

This is a witty, gritty read. An essential for business leaders. Brilliant and unconventional, irreverent and witty, The Halo Effect is essential reading for anyone wanting to separate fact from fiction in the world of business.

A GREAT LISTEN: 12 Truths I Leaned from Writing

What a great listen and watch from Ted Talker and author Anne LaMotte. She’s a bit odd and eccentric. But she’s equally brilliant and sassy. Buckle up.

My New Journal, Power Routines 2 is now available at Sugar Hill Church.
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 II at Sugar Hill Church! And coming soon to Amazon!

A Quote from Michael Hyatt

“The strength of our relationships is measured by how much people can count on us.”

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 A-ChuckAllen

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This week’s 4forFRIDAY August 30, 2019

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. If you missed the articles that I posted earlier this month regarding my trip to the Southern Border, you can find it HERE.

A Really Fun Movie: Angel has Fallen

I loved this movie. If you like shoot em up movies where stuff gets blown up and you can pull for the good guys win, this is for you! How could you possibly go wrong with Morgan Freeman as the President and Gerard Butler as his Secret Service Guard?

A Really Solid Read: The Dip by Seth Godwin

It might be short, but it’s packed full of wisdom. A New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller. In this iconic bestseller, popular business blogger and bestselling author Seth Godin proves that winners are really just the best quitters. Godin shows that winners quit fast, quit often, and quit without guilt—until they commit to beating the right Dip.

A Great Spotify Worship Playlist: A-Chuck’s Worship Playlist

I love soul-stirring, sing-a-long worship music. I like to listen and sing it loud. Join me as we lift these great worship songs up as one huge chorus. And, by the way, I think Spotify is so much better than Apple Music or Pandora.

A Great Productivity Tool: Full Focus Planner

This has become a go-to productivity booster for me! I’ve vacillated between digital and paper planners for years. I now have the best of both worlds as I incorporate Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner as a paper, high-productivity planner that I drop into my digital notebook. It’s not cheap because it’s a high quality, motivation and planning machine!

My New Journal, Power Routines 2 is now available at Sugar Hill Church.
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 II at Sugar Hill Church! And coming soon to Amazon!

A Quote from Dr. Ben Carson

“Everyone in the world worth being nice to. Because God never creates inferior human beings, each person deserves respect and dignity.”

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

People vs Politics: More Truth from the Southern Border

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People vs Politics: More Truth from the Southern Border by AChuckAllen

Without any doubt, the American political system has simply gone crazy. I don’t mean a little crazy. I mean bat-wing-knuckle-headed-lost your mind, crazy! There, I feel better.

I’ve listened to the Democratic hopefuls make some outrageous statements in their debates. I’ve heard that we are tearing families apart, that we are ripping children from mothers arms and that we are turning families away without due process. I’ve heard Conservatives and Liberals whine and cry about all of the horrible things we Americans are doing to the poor folks that are seeking asylum in the USofA.

Let me just say, with great conviction. That’s just HORSE CRAP!

I’ve now been to the border three times and have visited five Border Stations. Next month I’ll be in Yuma Arizona and back to El Paso and Juarez again. In October I’ll be in San Diego and Tijuana. I’ve seen it – up close. I’ve spoken with migrant men, women, families and kids. I’ve seen the stations where folks, primarily from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba and Mexico are processed and given an opportunity to be released legally into the States or at a minimum, given an NTA (Notice to Appear) to plead their case for asylum.

If you are an Unaccompanied Alien Child (UAC), you have four levels at which you are expedited. 1) You have a verified parent already in the States. If so, you are moved to the front of the line and you are escorted all the way to where your parent resides. 2) You have a verified family member (non-parent) and then you are escorted to where your family member resides. 3) You have a vetted and verified friend of your family and again, you are escorted all the way to where that friend lives. Or 4) You are truly alone and with no sponsor. In that case, you are escorted to a UAC Facility that is designed with the safety and comfort of the child. I visited a UAC Facility in Texas last week. More than 300 boys, ages 13-17 are receiving three great meals each day (I ate two meals with them – no! Not at the same time) an American education, sports opportunities and more than 200 of those same boys have chosen to give their life to Christ and all of them are receiving skills training that any child in America would be thrilled to have. I saw, up close, the teaching in the school and saw the dormitory that was better than most of the dorms that I moved six daughters into on their freshman move in date.

Yes, this should break our heart and yes, it is a humanitarian crisis, but children are being loved and cared for in ways that are better than many of them have ever been cared for! Yes, we should do better and I am privileged to be taking a lead role in connecting American families and churches with these awesome kids. But don’t bite on the non-sensible banter thrown around by either party or candidate. We can meet the needs of kids and families and we can care for short or long term needs. This is the role of the Faith Community — Not the Government!

I heard just a few minutes ago, a replay from CNN, from the mouth of a prominent presidential hopeful that “we are ripping babies from the bosoms of their mothers.” Oh my stars! Can we cease with the politicizing of these kids? But it’s not just one way. The threat of ending immigration or living with totally open borders is just insanity. We have laws, most of which help the immigrant. Let’s use them and improve them, but for the sake of all that is decent on this planet, let’s stop using people for our personal, petty, platforms!

These folks are really good people. They, for the most part, seeking asylum for the opportunity to live the American dream. But our present laws do not allow the entry into this country for a better job. Let me be clear… Not everybody qualifies for asylum into this Land of the Free. But when we have kids that have lost their parents in the brutal process of dealing with the cartels on the way to the USA, we do and we should continue to love on the kids and care for these kids and serve these kids as if they were the most important kids in the world! Here’s the good news! Like or hate this Administration, they are allowing the faith community to step in and make a huge difference. For that, I will forever be grateful. You and I can serve the Moms and Kids that are in the middle of the process and then continue to serve them as they find their new homes in the USA.

More to come next week, but for now, the flood of folks has been slowed down to a manageable number of immigrants reaching our borders. That is the direct result of three things:

  1. Mexico is helping share the burden with groups on their northern and southern border.
  2. The rapid adjustments made by our Customs and Border Control Stations to accept and process mass numbers of people, even though they were never designed for that.
  3. The threatened tariffs of the Administration that has families detained on the Mexican Border awaiting their date to plead their case. By the way, I’ve visited one of those centers in Juarez, Mexico. It is as clean and efficient as the centers on our side of the border – minus air conditioning – and is accomplishing the task that the Migrant Protection Protocol intended.

I am hosting a “Real Truth Presentation on my Border Visits, including a Q&A Session” in October at the new Eagle Theatre in Sugar Hill, Georgia. I’ll be sure to post the specifics next week. I think you’ll be thrilled to hear and see the real deal, with absolutely zero political positioning or exaggerations.

Go in Peace,
AChuck

4forFRIDAY with AChuckAllen

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This week’s 4forFRIDAY August 16, 2019

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. If you missed thearticles that I posted earlier this month regarding my trip to the Southern Border, you can find it HERE.

A Super Easy and Super Fun Game of Eight-Ball

Warning! This game is addictive! I’m not a gamer. As a matter of fact I do not haveE one single game on my devices. This game of eight-ball is played with someone else via Apple’s iMessage. It’s too much fun.

A Fun and Inspirational Read: The Coffee Bean

The Coffee Bean: an illustrated fable that teaches readers how to transform their environment, overcome challenges, and create positive change. Life is often difficult. It can be harsh, stressful, and feel like a pot of boiling hot water. The environments we find ourselves in can change, weaken, or harden us, and test who we truly are. We can be like the carrot that weakens in the pot or like the egg that hardens. Or, we can be like the coffee bean and discover the power inside us to transform our environment.

A Reminder of an Awesome App: Blinkist

I use this app daily. In a 30-35 minute window you can listen to a great summation of a solid book. I get at least 4 books each week consumed because of this simple app.

My recent Favorites in a Spotify Playlist: Daily Lift

From Maren Morris to Ed Sheeran, this is just fun music.

My New Devotional, Power Routines 2 is now available at Sugar Hill Church.
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 II at Sugar Hill Church!

A Quote from Jim Rohn

“The only way it gets better for you is when you get better. Better is not something you wish, it’s something you become.” 

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

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