4ForFriday

4forFRIDAY May 4, 2018

It’s Back! I’ve missed unpacking at least four recommended reads, listens, learnings, gadgets, or reviews. 4forFRIDAY is back and better than ever! My suggestions aren’t limited to items of the church or faith. They are simply a collection of items that I’ve enjoyed and thought that you might as well. So, here you go with this week’s 4forFRIDAY!

A REALLY GREAT SHOE:
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam Cruz Running Shoe This is the most comfortable athletic shoe of all time! It’s got plenty of bounce and the light, the natural fit is awesome. And for folks that don’t like to wear socks, this is a great shoe!

A REALLY GREAT FITNESS WATCH: Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch
I have downloaded and stored more than 250 songs on the watch and can play them without the use of the smartphone paired with it. It’s sleek, sporty and cheaper than the Apple Watch! It doesn’t have all the capacity of the Apple Watch, but it’s a great fitness tracker and watch in one!

A REALLY GREAT GADGET: Criacr Bluetooth FM Transmitter, Wireless In-Car FM Transmitter Radio Adapter Car Kit.
I love this thing. In my 2007 Jeep Cherokee, I can connect my music via Bluetooth to my outdated sound system and my phone and speak handsfree. It is a handy gadget if you drive an older car or one with no Bluetooth capabilities.

A SUPPLEMENT I BELIEVE IN: Premium MCT Oil derived only from Coconut Oil.  Jenny and I both throw 2 tablespoons into our coffee every morning. I am convinced that I have more energy as a result of this stuff. Yes, it might be in my head, but if it is, I’d still pay to have the kick from the coconut oil. The greatest part, other than the energy? You can’t taste it.

And a quote that I am pondering from Nelson Mandella:
“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” 

See you Sunday for a very special day at Sugar Hill Church. We gather to worship at 9:30a and 11:00a. We also have a Spanish speaking service at Sugar Hill Espanol at 11:00a. And, as always we stream all services live on Facebook and live.sugarhill.church.

–AChuck

4forFRIDAY by ACHUCKAllen  –  March 16, 2018

Each Friday I offer up at least 4 recommended reads, listens, learnings, gadgets or reviews. These are not necessarily faith-based or church-related, but they each have encouraged or helped me in some way. I trust that they might do the same for you!

A Book that I Reread: A Taste of Heaven by R.C. Sproul

This is a great read. If you have ever wanted to read a very practical look at the eternity we hold dear as Christians…Read this book. The picture that stays in my heart is best painted with Sproul’s own words: “If God Himself were to design worship, Heaven is what it would look like.”

A Handy Tool I Purchased: Masterplug Extension Cord Reels and Accessories

A Great Set of LED Cool White Shop Lights

These lights are amazing. I hung two in my garage and wow! It’s like daylight in my garage when I’m piddling around on a woodworking project or messing around getting the fishing kayak ready for the next trip to the lake.

A Podcast that is Essential if You Market or Need to Clarify Your Messaging: StoryBrand with Donald Miller: Specifically this Podcast with Todd Herman

This has become a weekly go-to for my inner marketer. I totally enjoy the discussions and Donald Miller might only be second to Oprah as the best interviewer in America. Every Podcast is great, but my two favorites are with Todd Herman and Scott Hamilton.

And a quote that I am pondering from George Bernard Shaw. “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

A Reminder of a Great Resource for You and Your Family: WeekdayPodcast.com
5 Minutes a Day and Five Days a Week. A Message of Encouragement and Hope from Sugar Hill Church.

Go In Peace! AChuck

4forFRIDAY by ACHUCKAllen 
March 9, 2018

Each Friday I offer up at least 4 recommended reads, listens, learnings, gadgets or reviews. These are not necessarily faith-based or church-related, but they each have encouraged or helped me in some way. I trust that they might do the same for you!

A Fun Afternoon of History: Atlanta’s Historic Oakland Cemetery 

We had so much fun on a beautiful Sunday afternoon wandering thru history. Be sure to download the app and listen to the commentaries. Less than a mile from the heart of downtown Atlanta, a hidden treasure, a secret sanctuary, welcomes you. This garden cemetery, founded in 1850, is the final resting place of many of Atlanta’s settlers, builders, and most noted citizens

If You Like Novels, This is a Great Read: Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, the #1 Amazon Charts bestseller Beneath a Scarlett Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours. This is one of those books that you can’t put down.

Looking for Low-Cost Airfare? Try Scott’s Cheap Flights

This is a subscription service that can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare and fees. You can routinely find round-trip airfare from the states to Europe in the $350-$450 range. You can determine if you are focusing on international or domestic, but I have constantly been blown away by the money you can save thru this service!

A SolidWorship Album: Elevation Worship; There is a Cloud

I love this album and I think you will as well. The song, Overcome and Do it Again are simply awesome. Download and Crank it Up!

And a quote that I am pondering from Elizabeth Gilbert. “NEVER WASTE YOUR SUFFERING, SUFFERING WITHOUT CATHARSIS IS NOTHING BUT WASTED PAIN.

A Reminder of a Great Resource for You and Your Family: WeekdayPodcast.com
5 Minutes a Day and Five Days a Week. A Message of Encouragement and Hope from Sugar Hill Church.

Go In Peace! AChuck

4forFRIDAY by ACHUCKAllen 
March 2, 2018

Each Friday I offer up at least 4 recommended reads, listens, learnings, gadgets or reviews. These are not necessarily faith-based or church-related, but they each have encouraged or helped me in some way. I trust that they might do the same for you!

This week I’m offering you a 3x4x4forFRIDAY.

• 4 of my favorite restaurants.
• 4 of my favorite recently read books.
• 4 of my favorite music selections.

4 of my favorite restaurants:

Grace 17:20: This is still a favorite dinner choice.
Bare Bones: This is a great steak and solid comfort food sides.
Foundation Eatery: This is just great food prepared fresh and it has a cool vibe.
Taqueria Del Sol: This is fresh Mexican food in a laid-back atmosphere

4 of my favorite recently read books:

The Four Disciplines of Execution: This is a must-read for leaders.
The Last Arrow: This is for every Christ-Follower.
Journeys with the Messiah: This is a table-top book filled with encouragement.
Common Prayer – A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals: This is not for the faint of heart.

4 of my favorite recently seen movies:

The Greatest Showman: This is a great film for anybody.
Wonder: This is an encouraging film.
Darkest Hour: This is a film of real-life courage.
The Post: This is a film that makes you wonder, “How did that happen?”

A Quote that I am Pondering from Albert Einstein
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

A Reminder of a Great Resource for You and Your Family: WeekdayPodcast.com
5 Minutes a Day and Five Days a Week. A Message of Encouragement and Hope from Sugar Hill Church.

Go In Peace! AChuck

4forFRIDAY by ACHUCKAllen
February 9, 2018

Each Friday I offer up at least 4 recommended reads, listens, learnings, gadgets or reviews. These are not necessarily faith-based or church-related, but they each have encouraged or helped me in some way. I trust that they might do the same for you! Please feel free to leave your comments or share this 4forFRIDAY!Here is This Week’s 4forFRIDAY February 9, 2018

A Really Solid Read from James Clear: You Get 25,000 Mornings as an Adult: Here are 8 Ways to Not Waste Them
You know I am a passionate learner when it comes to lifehacks and productivity. James Clear is a go-to author for and he offers up some really solid info in this article. It’s about an eight-minute read, and so worth it!

A Really Good Mini-Series from Nat Geo: The Long Road Home
We loved this series and saw past some of the spicier language to experience a true story that I knew nothing about. On April 4, 2004, the First Cavalry Division from Fort Hood was ferociously ambushed in Sadr City, Baghdad– a day that later came to be known as “Black Sunday.” Based on Martha Raddatz’s best-selling book, The Long Road Home chronicles their heroic fight for survival, as well as their families’ agonizing wait on the home front back in Texas.

A Really Different Great Read: The Kindness Pact by, Domonique Bertolucci
I really found this small book to be refreshingly practical and encouraging! Most people are terribly unkind to themselves. They make harsh judgments, engage in endless self-criticism and are unforgiving of even the smallest of failings. At the same time these people are often loving and kind parents, generous and encouraging friends, and supportive and committed colleagues. They give everyone else their best, only to give themselves their worst. The Kindness Pact introduces the reader to the Eight Promises: commitments they need to make to feel good about who they are and the life they live and invite readers to be as kind to themselves as they are to others.

A Powerful Ted Talk: I Grew Up in Westboro Baptist Church by Megan Phelps-Roper
What’s it like to grow up within a group of people who exult in demonizing … everyone else? Megan Phelps-Roper shares details of life inside America’s most controversial church and describes how conversations on Twitter were key to her decision to leave it. In this extraordinary talk, she shares her personal experience of extreme polarization, along with some sharp ways we can learn to successfully engage across ideological lines.

A Quote that I am Pondering from Anne Lamont
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes,
including you.”

A Reminder of a Great Resource for You and Your Family: WeekdayPodcast.com
5 Minutes a Day and Five Days a Week. A Message of Encouragement and Hope from Sugar Hill Church.

And My Daily BLOG of Encouragement and Life Lessons can be found at ACHUCKAllen.com

Go In Peace! AChuck