Achuckallen

Instigating Better

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4forFRIDAY with AChuck

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This Week’s 4forFRIDAY June 26, 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! 

A Great Series from Apple TV: DEAR…,

The incredible power of people writing to people. I was so captured by Lin Manuel Miranda, Oprah, Big Bird, Aly Raisman, and more as they read through letters that had been sent to them as encouragement and gratitude. It completely reshaped how I see communicating with folks that have inspired or encouraged me. I think you’ll like this series.

A Fun Summertime Playlist from Spotify: Feel Good Summer

Just plain old fun summertime music. It’s not Christian, but if you like a little classic rock, Beach Boys and Natalie Cole, The Temptations, etc., then you’ll enjoy this playlist!

An Interesting Show: The Everglades; Preserving Paradise

Every now and then, I’m captivated by the earth and in particular, Florida…my home state. This special on The Everglades was fascinating to me.

A Brand New Planner from Michael Hyatt and Co. The Pocket-Sized Full Focus Planner

I’ve been a hybrid planner guy for about a year now. I utilize technology for evergreen calendaring but a paper planner for more specific goals, monthly/weekly/daily planning. This is the very best that I’ve seen yet.

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 Ronald Reagan

“Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing.”

The Weekday Podcast is a 5 minutes/day, 5 days/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures.

New episodes are available Monday – Friday on the
Sugar Hill Church APP or at WeekdayPodcast.com 

I’ve also launched a new Podcast with two friends, Corron Boston and Mau Mennesses. It takes a shot at discussing God in Race Relations. You can find it here: Race Forward: God and Race Relations

Go in Peace, AChuck

The USA & Baseball

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The USA & Baseball by AChuckAllen

I’ll freely admit it. I love baseball. I still think that baseball is America’s game. But I cannot stomach the fact that this beloved game has become a snapshot of the 2020 version of the American life.

Just think about this…Grown men that play a boys game for millions of dollars. And just to be clear, the league minimum is a salary of $536,500.00 per year. Back to the point. And people that own franchises worth billions and certainly millions…How do we put the two groups together and somehow, they cannot seem to be able to agree on how to play 50 baseball games per team. That’s before you even get to the challenge of where you play those games or a postseason.

One more time, just to be clear. How do we gather players that are millionaires and owners that are billionaires, with the intent to determine how to bring joy to millions of Americans and potentially make more money? I know what you are thinking. Chuck, there is more to it than that. Okay, I’ll give you that possibility. But, and that’s a BIG BUT, we are still facing this conundrum: How do spoiled men, acting like spoiled kids play 50 baseball games against other spoiled men, acting like spoiled kids? Oh! And how do we get a select group of wealthy people to become the grown-ups in the room and recognize that America NEEDS BASEBALL right now? Sorry, I got fired up with the emboldened capitals.

This is truly a snapshot of the present day, USA. Everybody wants more, while not particularly caring about the greater good and greater needs. And there you have it. Once again, proving that every single problem being faced in the good old USofA is a matter of the heart. A matter of who has control of our heart, when better said.

Come on Baseball. Shock us all, and do the right thing!

—AChuck

I’m Offended!

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I’m Offended by AChuckAllen

Everywhere I turn, somebody has been offended. Each time that I watch the news, there are people offended and often another group of people taking up their offenses.

Come on, folks! We live in a world of diversity. We have diverse backgrounds, education, skin color, and spiritual maturity. As a result, we live in conflict. There it is! That awful “C-word,” CONFLICT! But, I don’t think we are dying from conflict, we are slowly dying from misdirected and mismanaged conflict. Wherever you are and whatever you do, is done in the sphere of diversity. And, wherever diversity exists, conflict is close behind.

We, as independent people, love our freedoms, especially when everyone agrees with us. But then life happens. Someone sees the world differently that you do, and BAM! Our diversity then becomes conflict.

We seem to be able to work together. Why then, can we not think together? Because conflict always exists, whether we verbalize or stuff it. The simple recognition that God created us uniquely should give us the catalyst to understand that we look differently, respond differently, and lead differently. Why in the world would we believe that we would not think and speak differently?

I am attempting to control my heart, and I’ve asked the Divine to guide me through this season. You know why? Well, thanks for asking. It is because I have no hope of understanding my heart, much less, changing it without God’s Spirit directing it.

We must stop being offended about everything that someone does or says. Remember that conflict is always present, so don’t take the bait. Refuse to buy into the lies that everyone has a deep and dark agenda to rob you of some freedom or right.

Ask your Creator to do a work within you that will soften your heart with empathy and sincerity, and see how differently this world of conflict is from the life God has directed us to live. Ask your Creator to thicken your skin, so you will not be the victim of everything somebody says.

The foolish, binary thoughts that we must live on the fringes of our ideals with simple yes/no questions leaves no room for us to create our own thoughts and convictions. If all we do is regurgitate someone else’s opinions, we are buying into the lies that the far right or far left has all the answers. That’s a steaming pile of poop!

Lay down your idealistic, emotional boo-boo’s and battle weary pitchforks long enough to develop an “up close” perspective. The further removed from something, the easier it is to take up an offense that was never about you. The longer we remain distanced from the problem, person or statement, we seem to be more offended. The closer we get to the statement, person or problem, the easier it is to develop sympathy, solutions and empathy for the person, problem or activity.

This overly simple, three step, mental activity will save you years of heartache and the temptation to become a statistic filled with rage and no healthy way to release that anger.

1) Live in the Spirit as He lives in you. 2) Offer grace and the reality that you may not know the whole story. 3) Discipline your soul to NOT pick up an offense unless it is personally directed at you and you can deal with it in love and preferably in person. Otherwise, let it go, let it go, let it go!

The real battle isn’t what, or who are offended by, the real battle is between your ears. I’ve discovered that when I am grateful, thoughtful, transparent, and grace-filled, I can lay those offenses down so much easier. How about you?

Go in Peace,
AChuck

Don’t miss a single day of my Weekday Podcast. Just 5 minutes/day and 5 days/week will deliver to your inbox a “Cup of Encouragement.”

A Message for America

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A Message for America by AChuckAllen

What a stinking mess we have in America today! I am talking with folks from radically diverse backgrounds, faith systems, educational experiences, and social status, and this is what I keep hearing: “Why is everything so hard and so bitter in America today?” They may not articulate it in those exact words, but that is at the heart of so many people that call this great country, home.

Maybe you have been sheltered in place so long that you have your left or right political bent welded to your soul, but me? Well, I am on the hunt for a voice of reason in this political season of hatred. I cannot believe that the advisors and ego prompters that most of our national candidates have around them are encouraging this silliness. There is no possible way that Americans truly want our political voices to remain so binary that there is no voice of reason remaining in the contest.

We can do better. We must do better. And, by God’s grace, we will do better. Our very constitution and way of American life are literally at stake. Think with me about your Congressional district; 1) Are there any voices of reason, or are the candidates wallowing in the same mud puddle? 2) Have each of the remaining candidates locked their campaign with the presidential candidate? 3) Have your options for Congress left you thinking, “Is that really the best that my country offers? 4)) Is there any person running for a national office that has been able to stay above the fray of the media bate to trash the other opponent?

Let me say it again: We can do better. We must do better. And, by God’s grace, we will do better. Making the changes that are required in the House, Senate and the White House requires more than your vote. Your vote is vital, but your action is what will make this nation the city on the hill that President Reagan spoke of. His reference taken from the Scriptures is where we will find that voice of reason.

The origin of the phrase, “City on a Hill,” is found in Matthew 5: 14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.“

If you want to make the changes necessary to return to and become that city on a hill, then write your leaders, pray for your leaders. Speak up to your leaders. But, please speak with the voice of reason. Have a convictional, and original thought regarding your part of this great republic. What do you think about the appointment of judges? What do you think about abortion? What do you think about healthcare, Obamacare, and national healthcare? What do you think about our national debt? What would you do about immigration?

You cannot complain and whine about the political and societal mess in America unless you codify your opinions and beliefs. Don’t be a screamer with someone else’s opinions. Form your own. Then speak to the problems with solution and well-founded, original thoughts.

Let your light so shine!

–AChuck

4forFRIDAY with AChuckAllen

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This Week’s 4forFRIDAY June 12, 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! 

My New Favorite Steakhouse: Cotton Calf Kitchen

My friend, Bobby McGraw introduced me to this masterpiece of steakology! Don’t miss the creamed corn. It truly is the best ever. Perfect for a date night!

A Real Meal in an Appetizer: Marlow’s Shrimp and Crab Nachos

Shrimp, crab, pepper jack, and jalapeño broiled on top of fresh chips and placed with perfection on each chip. Just hallelujah!

A New and Worthwhile Podcast: Race Forward; God in Race Relations

A brand new weekly podcast that will anger you, encourage you, and equip you. Racism is as old as time, but at it’s core, racism is a sin problem. This “every Thursday” podcast is a progressive, ongoing discussion of God in the American challenge with racism.

A Really Good Movie: The Sinking of the Lanconia

In 1942, the sinking of a British passenger ship by a German U-boat spins the submarine crew and the passengers of the HMS Laconia into quite a tale. This is a two-part mini-series from Masterpiece Theatre and can be seen on Prime Video. We really enjoyed the film.

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 Alexander Hamilton

“Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.”

The Weekday Podcast is a 5 minutes/day, 5 days/week Cup of Encouragement, straight from the Scriptures.

New episodes are available Monday – Friday on the
Sugar Hill Church APP or at WeekdayPodcast.com 

Go in Peace, AChuck

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Why Trump or Biden?

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Why Will You Vote for Donald Trump or Joe Biden in 148 Days?

That should attract some attention. Who and why you will vote in November 2020. In many ways, things have radically changed since 2016, while many other things seem to remain stagnant. I struggle with being fired up about either of these candidates, but let’s face facts, that’s who we have to vote for. Here are a few things to think about:

  • It is still about the appointment of judges! More valuable than the economy and foreign policy, even immigration. It’s all about the selection of judges. If you are a conservative, as I am, then you have to weigh the track record of both candidates and determine where you want the future court(s) to go. You determine that.
  • I don’t meet many folks that are diehard supporters of either of these fellas. I do meet people that have strong opinions about their ideas, platforms, and party alignment. So if we are to measure a presidential vote on likability, Biden wins in a landslide. If we are to measure our vote on pro-business, lower taxes, and economic recovery, history would give you a reason to vote for Donald Trump. The outliers with Trump flags and Never-Trump flags aren’t the heart of this nation, any more than the far left socialists are. They are on the periphery of our voting populous.
  • If you are a Follower of Jesus, both of these candidates can drive you crazy. President Trump would help himself and our support if he considered slowing down or even shutting down the Twitter barrage of insanity. Mr. Biden would help if he could pick a belief system and stick with it. Pairing up with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren, or Kamala Harris isn’t helping calm my fears. I want to like President Trump. I like his economic position. I like his foreign policy position. I like his tax and business-first mentality. I hate that he is a bully. I cannot stand the constant attacks via Twitter. I disdain his typical rage-filled tantrums. But with Mr. Biden, I must ask, who will genuinely run the country? Before you go off on this statement, just recognize the ongoing gaffs and instability of Biden’s health. I am all for a female to run the country. We men have had 240 plus years and we seem to have digressed in our leadership capacity. But Joe, I cannot line up with the women you are talking about.
  • If I could pick a candidate to write-in, and believe that write-in counted, I would write in former Ambassador to the UN and Governor of the great state of South Carolina, Nikki Haley. She is brilliant and gracious. We could use a heavy dose of both of those characteristics.
  • I disagree with much of the Trump Doctrine, and in truth, I cannot vote for Mr. Biden as his political leanings are simply too far left for me.
  • So, it all comes down to five simple thoughts (at least to me).

    1. JUDGES and the FUTURE of THE COURTS.
    2. ECONOMIC RECOVERY from the AMERICAN SHUTDOWN.
    3. FOREIGN POLICY – NORTH KOREA, RUSSIA, and CHINA.
    4. TAXES and PRO-BUSINESS GROWTH.
    5. FAIR TRADE with GLOBAL ECONOMIES
  • I would love to be able to select a President based on his, or her faith-filled life and his commitment to Godly leadership. That doesn’t seem to be a high priority for either candidate. As a result, I will look toward these five items. Let the hate mail begin!

    –AChuck


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