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Life and Happiness

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

May 19, 2023 by AChuckAllen

Week twenty of 2023 is almost in the books. Wowzer, it’s been crazy this week. I read this the other day and trust that you will be encouraged by it.
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything
to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability —
and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you; your ideas mature gradually — let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be.
“
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin


This Week’s 4forFRIDAY


A Cannot Miss Recipe for Summer: Slow-Cooker Corn on the Cob


A Short but AWESOME Article – Sabbath Moment


A Fast-Paced Thriller Show on Paramount+ with Kiefer Sutherland: RABBIT HOLE


A Powerful Article from INC. Magazine:
How Effective Leaders Have Courageous Conversations; Be a good communicator, even with conflict.


A Quote from Thomas Merton:

“The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly
themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image.”


Go in Peace, Chuck

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Filed Under: Do Good, Life and Happiness, Reviews Tagged With: 4ForFriday, Leadership, Personal Development, Reviews

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

April 28, 2023 by AChuckAllen

Week seventeen of 2023 is almost in the books, and it has been a busy but productive week. I trust that yours has been awesome and that YOUR WEEKEND AHEAD WILL BE AWESOME! I’d like to share a prayer for peace that might benefit you – God, it seems that every time I turn on the news, the world gets a little worse each day. I know sin has ravaged this planet, and the world will lack complete peace until you return. Nevertheless, I ask that you intervene in the world and grant us peace. Help us to find more ways to love our neighbors and show the world your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.

1. Choose peace each morning. It is a choice, not just an aspiration. Look in the mirror and chase after peace.

2. Live a life of service. Every person on earth was created to serve others. The person that serves is more often equally blessed than the recipient.

3. You are not your job. Recent research says that we Americans put far too much emphasis on our careers as a way of creating our identity. Big mistake. You are far more than what you do!

4. It’s okay to stop and think. Our desire to keep moving leaves little room for God to move as we wait on eagle wings. Progress and productivity are not the same as following the desire of God for your life. It is always a great idea to stop and hear from the Lord. His plans are worthy of waiting on!


This Week’s 4forFRIDAY – Four Great Articles


11 Ways to Protect Your Marriage from Adultery


Small Acts of Kindness Matter More Than You Think


Can I Trust Jesus?


Firefighters Mow Elderly Man’s Yard: When Identity Empowers Influence


A Quote from Henri Nouwen:

“Although it is important and even indispensable for the spiritual life to set apart time for God and God alone, prayer can eventually become unceasing prayer when all our thoughts, beautiful and ugly, high and low, prideful and shameful, sorrowful and joyful, can be thought in the presence of God.”


Go in Peace, Chuck

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Filed Under: Life and Happiness, Reviews Tagged With: Leadership, Marriage

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

March 24, 2023 by AChuckAllen

Week twelve of 2023 is almost in the books,
and it has been a challenging yet encouraging week.
I trust that yours has been great and that

YOUR WEEKEND AHEAD WILL BE AWESOME!
May the Lord Bless You this Weekend with Peace.
May He comfort you with His Presence and His Power.


Here are your 4forFRIDAY Reviews for March 24, 2023.


Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.


  1. While arguments happen, they typically solve nothing. Stop and collect your thoughts, then have an intelligent conversation.
  2. Needy people need someone to help meet their needs. Help them and watch God bless you.
  3. The inevitable challenge in relationships is to what degree you value the other person. It’s revealed in attitudes, actions, and communications.
  4. Slowing your life’s pace might actually make you far more productive at what really matters.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY


A Travel Backpack that I Love:
ZINZ Slim & Expandable Laptop Backpack 15 15.6 16 Inch Sleeve with USB Port


A Really Good BLOG from Dwell Differently:
If We Aren’t Listening, How Can We Know We’re Doing God’s Will?


An Interesting Article from Fast Company:
How a Nonlinear Workday Might Help You Get More Done


A Really Solid Book:
Pursuing God’s Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton


A Quote from Seth Godin :

“If you can’t state your position in eight words,
you don’t have a position.”


Go in Peace, Chuck

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Filed Under: Do Good, Emotional Health, Life and Happiness, peace, Reviews Tagged With: 4ForFriday, Leadership

Going To Church Can Help Improve Your Emotional Health

February 5, 2023 by AChuckAllen

February 5, 2023

In a world of constant stress and worry, it can be easy to forget the importance of taking time for yourself. Attending church services can be a great way to take a break from your daily routine and invest in your emotional health. Read on to find out how going to church can help improve your mental well-being.


What is the Relationship Between Going to Church and Emotional Health?

Multiple studies suggest a positive correlation between faith, worship involvement, and mental health. For example, one study found that people who attend church regularly are less likely to experience depression.

Another study found that people who attend church are more likely to report a far higher degree of satisfaction with their lives. Additionally, church attendance has been linked with lower rates of suicide, substance abuse, and divorce.

So, what is the relationship between going to church and emotional health? It seems that there is a positive correlation between the two. Church provides a supportive community for its members and helps them develop a stronger sense of purpose. Additionally, the act of attending church can help to reduce stress levels and promote positive mental health.

There are Huge Benefits of Going to Church

There are many benefits to going to church, including improving your emotional health. Church engagement will help you connect with a community of like-minded people who can offer support and encouragement. Additionally, participating in church activities can help you reduce stress and anxiety and boost your mood. By the way, it helps if you discover a church that can encourage you along the journey.

Studies have shown that church involvement is associated with better mental health outcomes. For example, one study found that religious involvement was associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety. Research has shown that religious involvement is linked to increased self-esteem and life satisfaction. Again, it helps if you discover a church that doesn’t bore you to sleep as well.

If you’re struggling with mental health, consider attending a church service or joining a faith-based community. Doing so could help you find the support and guidance you need to improve your emotional well-being. Attending a healthy church can significantly impact your social well-being as well.

When it comes to improving your emotional health, going to church can significantly help. For one thing, church can provide you with a supportive community. This can be especially helpful if you’re going through a tough time in your life. Knowing that people care about you and want to help you can make a big difference.

In addition, church attendance can offer you guidance and wisdom. If you’re struggling with a decision or feeling lost, talking to a pastor or counselor at church can help you find your way. They can offer advice and support that can help you improve your emotional health. Be sure to seek out a bible-based, grace-filled church. They are out there, I promise!

Finally, attending church can help you develop a positive outlook on life. Hearing inspiring messages and singing uplifting songs can remind you of the good things in life and help you focus on the future rather than dwelling on the past. Having a positive outlook makes it easier to cope with stress and challenges. Did you know singing can change your mood and outlook in just a minute?

When stressed, our first instinct is to reach out to friends and family members for support. However, sometimes we may not have anyone to turn to or feel our problems are too small to bother them. This is where a church can come in handy. Not every church is a closed community. Many churches can’t wait for you to engage with them and them with you.

Being a part of a church community can help reduce stress in a few ways. First, it can provide a support network of people who are always there for you, no matter what. Secondly, churches typically have many different programs and services that can help you deal with whatever is causing your stress. And finally, simply attending church services and participating in religious activities can help you find peace and calm in your life.

When you go to church, you are surrounded by a supportive community. In addition, attending church can help improve your mental well-being by allowing you to reflect on your life and find meaning and purpose. Doing so can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote positive thinking and emotional health. When looking for a church that can provide these things, recognize how “welcome home” they make you feel once you walk into the building.

The Bible also encourages us by teaching that we should not forsake gathering together for worship segments of our faith lives. So, as I close, we can see, once again, that faith and science agree that attending a healthy church regularly is good for you, your soul, and your emotional well-being. Go to church this week!


Go In Peace, Chuck

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Filed Under: Discipleship, Do Good, Emotional Health, Life and Happiness, Mental Health, Uncategorized Tagged With: church

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

February 3, 2023 by AChuckAllen

February 3, 2023 | by AChuckAllen

Week five of 2023 is almost in the books, and it has been a great week.
Here are your 4forFRIDAY reviews for February 3, 2023.

Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.


  1. I learned that you could strengthen your “peace” by instilling spiritual disciplines as a form of exercise, just like you can increase your physical strength by instilling weight lifting as a form of exercise for your body – scientifically proven and biblically supported.
  2. Regardless of which party controls the House or Senate, we’ve become a country led by whiners.
  3. Never underestimate the power of being kind to someone you do not know. It can change their day!
  4. When you commit to making a small positive change over 30 days, you will exponentially improve your life over 12 months.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

A Powerful Article: 10 Ways to Sabotage Your Marriage (Without Realizing It)


A GREAT Album from Brandon Lake: House of Miracles, Especially “Gratitude”


A GREAT Article from Inc. Magazine: Emotionally Intelligent People Use 2 Simple Words to Build Confidence and Work Better (and Get Others to Work Better Too)


Another GREAT Article: Need Bedtime Peace? 10 Verses to Help You Sleep


A POWERFUL PODCAST from Brené Brown: Leadership is a Relationship


A Quote from the Positive Talk Podcast:

Our brains were created to reflect what we focus on and who we spend time with. This is why some people say, “Want to see who you’ll become in 5 years?” Look at the 5 people you spend the most time with.  


Go in Peace, Chuck

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Filed Under: Emotional Health, Life and Happiness, Mental Health, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: 4ForFriday, Leadership, Reviews

Why UVALDE Still Matters

December 8, 2022 by AChuckAllen

On May 24, 2022, evil stepped into Robb Elementary School and took the lives of 19 children and two teachers. Pure evil is the best way to define the senseless massacre of these precious children. I’ve been to Uvalde five times since the shooting, and each time I return, I’m reminded that evil could show up at almost any school in America and do the same thing. In most of the United States, measures have been put in place to make a similar attack much more difficult. I say more difficult because Uvalde was, and is so unique.

After reading the Texas Department of Public Safety’s final report regarding the shooting, I was struck by the systemic failure at every level. The most glaring failure wasn’t the police, school, or city, or leaders. The most glaring failure was a society that left a dirt-poor little city to fend for itself. Uvalde is a border town in Texas, and as such, it has a blend of primarily Latino citizens and blue-collared men and women. These are some of the most gracious, loving people I have ever been around. But let’s face it, in the hustle of this world, a little town like Uvalde is left in the dust. Yes, there were failures, but at the end of the day, you can trace every failure back to the fact that Uvalde is a city that nobody cared about. That is until they were the headline of the week in May 2022.

Like most things in America, a crisis happens, and the news anchors show up in droves. The cameras seek the worst possible story with the most graphic and accommodating video. They stay for a few days, then chase the next crisis, like tornado chasers in Kansas. Then a few weeks go by, and they descend again on the crisis area with reports of who is at fault and videos of people leaving courthouses trying to cover their faces. Then poof! They’re off again. After the media and political circus leave, the poor people of the crisis are left to sort out life as the rest of the world moves on.

But how do you move on from children shot so many times with high-powered ammunition that were only recognized by DNA results? How do you move on from the finger-pointing and media onslaught when you are a small city with limited resources and an entire world looking for your faults?

I’m jaded, I guess. I fell in love with this little city and its people. I found friends who share the common ground of decency, honor, integrity, and love. I’ve built lasting, meaningful relationships with leaders who care deeply about Uvalde’s future. I’ve seen the hurt up close, and I’ve felt people’s skepticism when you say you’ll be back with more help. Each time I can feel their stare as you say, “see you next time.” That stare is the one that burns into your soul the feeling that they’ve been lied to, over-promised, and under-delivered for decades. That is a systemic failure. As political leaders are fond of saying these days – full stop!

Enter Crossroads Academy. A school for dropouts. Last week, a team from Sugar Hill Church brought Christmas for about 160 kids – and their kids – and their parents. You read that correctly. Many of these kids dropped out of school and have their own kids. Hence the dropping out. They get on a bus from where they are sofa-surfing with their little ones and drop the babies off at childcare, go to school, work, and then to their kiddos. If you think it must be hard, you cannot imagine their stories.

One little girl is back in school and attended our party. She opened a box of diapers and just started weeping. She said, “I haven’t had a Christmas present since I was eight years old.” Then she learned that the diapers were essential and that she had a new set of clothes, shoes, and a purse just for her. And her baby had plenty as well. One young man graduated while our team was on the ground, and he is ready to contribute to making Uvalde stronger. One teacher was trying to find a student to give a gift to and was instructed that the gift was for her. She said, “nobody ever does anything for us.” The overwhelming question was this, “why are you all doing this?” The answer? Jesus said, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. He said that if we serve the least of these, we are actually serving Him.

Uvalde matters because the political circus left town and couldn’t care less. The media circus left town and won’t return unless something horrific happens. Nobody cares about the repaired buildings, new grounds, courts, and facilities provided in the wake of the massacre, but we should care. The government has proven that they cannot or will not step in to make a big deal about Uvalde unless it fits their political narrative – either way.

That is why a church from Sugar Hill, Georgia, has been making good on promises to Uvalde, Texas. Because the people that claim to love Jesus must act on that love and make the world a more loving, grace-filled place. Uvalde matters because these kids matter. The educators, administrators, counselors, and coaches matter. Uvalde matters! I’ve invited more than a dozen churches to participate in the work in Uvalde. I haven’t asked them for a dime, just people and prayer. Not a single church has stepped into the fray as of yet. Please hear me. I know that every church isn’t equipped to go and do this work, and not every church should. But friends, whether it is Uvalde or Sugar Hill, we must care enough to serve hurting people! Uvalde matters because those folks need to know that America doesn’t see them as a newsreel but as people that God loves. Uvalde matters because they represent all of us. We are all potentially one day away from needing the rest of America to help.

I’m honored to be a small part of rebuilding Uvalde, and I thank God for the men and women that are serving in the schools of Uvalde, Texas. They are serving in some really difficult seasons and are champions. The champions that are the faculty of Crossroads Academy are some of my favorite people on the planet, and I pray for them each morning that God would infuse them with strength, wisdom and power.

Uvalde matters because people matter. God’s ultimate purpose is people. The redemption of mankind. If you are desirous to be a part of God’s plan for your life, you, too, will be about people. That’s why Uvalde matters.

Chuck

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Filed Under: God and Country, Life and Happiness, Missions, Politics, Southern Border, Uncategorized Tagged With: Leadership

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