Achuckallen

Instigating Better

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4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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January 13, 2023

Week two of 2023 is almost in the books and it’s shaping up to be a great year. I trust your new year is off to a good start as well. Here is your 4forFRIDAY for January 13, 2023.

Four lessons that I learned this week.

1. I’m amazed at how we continue to elect men and women to to serve in our Congress that are still children. How in the world will we move forward with babies battling over toys forever?

2. New habits are tough to stick with, so break the habit into micro steps and see your progress. I use an app – STREAKS – to measure sustained progress.

3. Encouraging others somehow brings encouragement to you. Be an encourager.

4. If you are looking to discover greater degrees of happiness this year, follow these three steps, every single day. Pray, move more, serve others. It works every time.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

1. An article that I loved from Brian Dodd, “My Top Ten List of Priorities, and God is Not Number One”

2. A fun novel that I enjoyed from the Tom Clancy series, Jack Ryan; Red Winter. So many plots and so much suspense. If you enjoy a good spy novel, you’ll love this read.

3. A Breakfast that you will love, I promise! I’ve been a fan of El Taco Jalisco for years, but when I ate breakfast there earlier this week, well just yum! Be sure to order the “Huevos Mexicanos”

4. A Really Good Article from Bible Study Tools, “What Does the Bible Say About Overthinking “

A strong quote from Max Lucado, “Do this for someone. Ask someone to tell you his—or her—story. Resist the urge to interrupt or correct. Turn off the television. Log off from the internet. Close your laptop; silence your cell phone. Give the rarest of gifts: your full attention.”

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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1. A GREAT Article from Scott Sauls: Jesus and Women During Advent and Always

I loved this article. It might offend you, but give it prayerful consideration. Here’s a snippet from Scott:
“It is clear that God esteems and elevates women and men. For this reason, I am sharing something I have previously written about the place of women in the world, in the church, and in the story of God. The following excerpt was posted after we decided to commission our first class of Deaconesses at Christ Presbyterian Church. It isn’t explicitly about Christmas, but I hope it will nonetheless enrich our understanding of God during the Advent season.”

2. A Christmas Album that I Cannot Stop Listening to. A Very Maverick Christmas, Especially Revelation 19:1

Worshipful, powerful, inspiring, happy. I could go on and on. When you get to Revelation 19:1, just crank it up!

3. A Powerful Article from Crosswalk: 7 Things We Regularly Get Wrong about Worship

Don’t read this unless you are ready to be challenged a bit regarding your heart towards worship. Here is a clip from this excellent article. “

“I didn’t get anything out of that today.” “I didn’t get anything out of the sermon.” “I didn’t get anything out of that service.” “I guess her song was all right, but I didn’t get anything out of it.”

“Sound familiar? Not only have I heard it countless times over these near-fifty years in the ministry, I probably have said it a few times myself.”

4. A Powerful List of Seven Commands for a
Peace-Filled Life from Psalm 100

In Psalm 100, we find seven such imperatives in Hebrew, seven commands related to gratitude.

One: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” The Hebrew means to “shout,” to actively and publicly vocalize your praise to God. To “shout” involves your voice, mind, emotions, spirit, and body in personal, passionate worship. This is an act of public praise.

Two: “Serve the Lᴏʀᴅ with gladness.” “Serve” here means to focus your entire life and existence on your sovereign Master, giving him your whole heart and surrendering your entire life to his service. This is for every moment of every day, not just an hour at church. It means to yield your life all day, every day, to his Lordship. Do this with “gladness,” rejoicing for the privilege in a lifestyle of praise.

Three: “Come into his presence with singing.” God’s “presence” refers to his “face.” This command calls us to seek personal, transforming intimacy with our Lord.

Four: “Know that the Lᴏʀᴅ, he is God.” “Know” means to acknowledge or confess, to testify publicly that the Lord is God over all the world. This is a public confession made proudly and boldly.

Five: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.” We learn that gratitude allows us to experience God’s presence, power, and grace.

Six: “Give thanks to him.” Once you are in his presence, find specific reasons to express your gratitude to your Father.

Seven: “Bless his name.” The “name” of God denotes his presence, personality, and very essence. This means to thank and praise God himself.

5. Another Great Article: Benefits of Gratitude: 28+ Surprising Research Findings from PositivePsychology.com

This is a powerful, secular perspective that also aligns with all that the holy scriptures describe regarding gratitude and serving others. Here’s a sample: “

The benefits are split into five groups:

  • Emotional benefits
  • Social benefits
  • Personality benefits
  • Career benefits
  • Health benefits

There are many benefits of gratitude, but these categories cover quite a few.

BONUS: A POWERFUL QUOTE FROM GIL HOPKINS

“Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy Crap, what a ride!’”

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY October 7, 2022

ONE
A TRULY GREAT READ: Addicted to Busy: Recovery for the Rushed Soul 
FIND IT HERE

We are all spread too thin, taking on more than we can handle, trying to do so much—almost as if we are afraid that if we were to take a moment of rest, we might discover that all our busyness is covering up an essential lack in our lives. But God never meant for us to be so busy. God desires for us to have rest and peace. Brady Boyd shows you how to live a life that embraces stillness and solitude, so you can find the peace God wants.

-Amazon

TWO
A MUSIC VIDEO THAT’S SO GOOD AND MANY HAVE ASKED ME ABOUT: Hold on Tight
FIND IT HERE

I used this clip for an offering talk last Sunday and many of you asked for a link – Here you go!

–Chuck

THREE
A PODCAST TO HELP YOUR MARRIAGE: The Positive Talk Podcast with Julie Homrich, LPC
FIND IT HERE

One of the best ways to strengthen or resurrect a marriage is to establish healthy internal and external boundaries. Join Chuck and Julie for this significant conversation that can help every marriage and every relationship on this week’s Positive Talk Podcast.

-Chuck

FOUR
A REALLY GOOD ARTICLE: 5 Signs I Need To Put On My Desk (And You Might Too)

FIND IT HERE

Great reminders for every leader on the planet

-Chuck

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY September 30, 2022

ONE
A BOOK THAT I TRULY LOVED: What Do You Really, Really Want?: Discovering What Matters Most And Taking Action To Achieve Your Important Goals 
FIND IT HERE

In this unique narrative of life-changing conversations, Kevin Stebbings offers an authentic framework for overcoming the distractions of life to rediscover what you really, really want. He draws on the proven ideas and practices from the world of coaching to create a highly original and insightful book that will teach you how to discover your purpose, pursue your dreams, and achieve your goals.

–Amazon

TWO
A GADGET THAT I LOVE: Intoval Wireless Charging Station, 3 in 1 Charger
FIND IT HERE

I love this 3 in 1 charger for my phone watch and airpods. Simple, elegant and affordable.

–Chuck

THREE
A UNIQUE DAILY READ: Daily Creative: Find Your Inspiration to Spark Creative Energy and Fight Burnout
FIND IT HERE

Even if you don’t think of yourself as creative, you’d probably be surprised by how many creative tools you use daily. You solve problems, design, write, invent, or in other words―create. But the pressure we feel to create value with our minds continually can cause tremendous stress and eventually neutralize our ability to be effective in our long-term roles. The Daily Creative is a daily reader for busy professionals, creative and otherwise, designed to help you gain focus for your day and advance toward your goals.

–AMAZON

FOUR
A GREAT MEAL AT A FUN RESTAURANT: Mika French Sushi
FIND IT HERE

I admit that I am new to the sushi thing, but loved my dinner at Mika French Sushi earlier this week. I especially enjoyed their Mika Roll with eel sauce and the coconut shrimp. This little gem is in Sugar Hill and is clean, friendly and so, so good.

-Chuck

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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RECOMMENDED READS, LISTENS, LEARNINGS, AND REVIEWS FROM ACHUCKALLEN

ONE
A GREAT BOOK: How to Have That Difficult Conversation: Gaining the Skills for Honest and Meaningful Communication 
FIND IT HERE

Authors Henry Cloud and John Townsend take the principles from their award-winning and bestselling book, Boundaries, and apply them to the most common difficult situations and relationships to:
Show how healthy confrontation can improve relationships
Present the essentials of a good boundary-setting conversation
Provide tips on preparing for the conversation
Show how to tell people what you want, stop bad behavior, and deal with counterattack
Give actual examples of conversations to have with your spouse, your date, your kids, your coworker, your parents, and more!
This book is a practical handbook on positive confrontation that will help you finally have that difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding.

–Amazon

TWO
A Tasty and Unique Treat: MOCHINUT
FIND IT HERE 

This is the most unique donut joint I have ever eaten at. I have always been a sucker for a GOOD donut, but Mochinut is kind of a donut, but a hot dog, ice cream, donut kind of place. I know – weird, but you haven’t lived until you’ve had a “Hot Cheetos Hot Dog” and an “Original Mochinut” for dessert. They weren’t serving ice cream when I went, but I’ll be back. I visited the new Suwanee, GA location, and understand that an Alpharetta store is in the works!

–Chuck Allen

THREE
A Great Airport Burger – Really! Bobby’s Burger Palace
FIND IT HERE

This Burger Joint in the Atlanta Airport was amazing. A Bobby Flay burger is hard to beat. I went with the “Bacon Crunch Burger and Onion Rings. That will surely bless your day!

–Chuck Allen

FOUR
A Good Movie on Netflix: UNCHARTED
FIND IT HERE

Street-smart treasure hunter Nathan Drake and his renegade mentor Sully set out on a dangerous adventure across the globe to find Magellan’s lost gold. Starring: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Banderas

–NETFLIX

GO IN PEACE, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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4forFRIDAY with AChuckAllen.com July 22, 2022

ONE
A REALLY GOOD BOOK: The Quest: Discover a Way to Enjoy the Second Half of Life
FIND IT HERE

Not many books make me pause a rethink so much as The Quest has. I encourage you to jump in whole-heartedly if you are more than 50 years of age. Here is the promo from Amazon: When America became a nation, only one in five people lived to age seventy. Now more than four out of five do. The average life expectancy in America is currently around eighty years—and increasing. This expansion begs the question, what are we to do with a second half of life that could last forty or more years? The additional time makes it inevitable that somewhere between age thirty-five and sixty, many of us will find ourselves at the cusp of a massive (and possibly catastrophic) transition. A decade ago, Randy Elrod created a live experience (a rite of passage) called The Quest for people age 35 and over. Since then, he has guided Quest experiences in New Mexico and Tennessee with participants from all walks of life. While there is nothing like attending The Quest in person, the hope is that this book will become a well-worn guide map for one’s journey into second life.

–AMAZON

TWO
A FREE AFTERNOON TO COOL DOWN AND ENJOY A BIT OF NATURE ON THE HOOCH
FIND IT HERE and HERE

My son-in-law and I fished the stretrch of the Chattahoochee River from McGinnis Ferry Rd to Abbotts Bridge Rd and it took us about 4 1/2 hours. The input at McGinnis Ferry is just east of Peachtree Industrial (see link on left) and the out ramp is just east of Peachtree industrial odd Abbott’s Bridge Rd (see link on right). If you aren’t fishing it, it should be about 3 1/2 hours. You need a life jacket as there are some spots that reach 6-8 feet, but most of it is 2-4 feet, with a few shallows to stop and eat a bite. We caught 12 nice Trout, but saw several folks just floating. The best part is that it costs you nothing! Enjoy!

–Chuck Allen

THREE
An Affordable, Awesome Set of Bluetooth Headphones from SONY
FIND IT HERE

I bought these during PrimeDays for just $64.99. I have had Beats, and I have had Bose, but these are equal to either and at the price, I think they might be the best I’ve had for walking, calls, distraction free work, etc. Easy set up, USB-C charging and plenty of battery for the entire day, plus some more.

–Chuck Allen

FOUR
An Action Packed TV Series from FX:
THE OLD MAN
FIND IT HERE

The first 10 minutes made me wonder why so many people has suggested that I might like The Old Man, but then the action kicked in. Jeff Bridges, a retired ex CIA man is being hunted and the twists and turns are really exciting. If violence isn’t your thing, avoid this one. If you don’t mind a few folks getting shot and beat up, then you’ll love it!

–Chuck Allen

GO IN PEACE, Chuck