Achuckallen

Instigating Better

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4forFRIDAY with AChuckAllen

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4forFRIDAY October 4, 2018

Most Friday’s I enjoyed sharing at least four recommended reads, listens, learnings or reviews. Here is this week’s 4forFRIDAY! Enjoy

A Great Listen from Audible: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects and Everyone Experiences by Carey Nieuwhof

I loved this book! Carey Nieuwhof wants to help you avoid and overcome life’s seven hardest and most crippling challenges: cynicism, compromise, disconnectedness, irrelevance, pride, burnout, and emptiness. These are challenges that few of us expect but that we all experience at some point. If you have yet to confront these obstacles, Carey provides clear tools and guidelines for anticipation and avoidance. On the other hand, if you already feel stuck in a painful experience or are wrestling with one of these challenges, he provides the steps you need to find a way out and a way forward into a more powerful and vibrant future.

A Great Read if You Lead Anything! TIMELESS by Brian Dodd

I am a huge Brian Dodd fan and this is his best work. The word Apex brings to mind terms like pinnacle, summit, peak, and greatest. Apex Leaders are those individuals who have reached the top of their profession. They are recognized for excellence in their area of discipline and have achieved many of its highest awards. Apex Leaders are the absolute best at what they do. But what makes Apex Leaders so unique? Why do they stand out? How do they prepare? How do they think? Did God only tap a few select people on the shoulder and ordain them for greatness, or can you become an exponentially better leader, perhaps even an Apex Leader, by following their example? In Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices of Apex Leaders, you will learn the answer is, YES!

Another Great Read: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller

I realize that this a duplicate from a couple of weeks ago, but o my stars! I cannot get enough of this rich teaching. I believe every Follower of Jesus should read this book!
This is both a classic and a beautifully written piece of art. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 will join Serenity and The Creeds as a beautiful new entry into the Zondervan Gift Timeless Faith Classics line. Combining sophisticated, timeless designs with the sage wisdom of Scripture will make this line a favorite with readers interested in the classic tenants of our faith.

A New Television Show that’s Worth Watching: New Amsterdam

We have truly enjoyed this new series on NBC. I think many of you will be inspired by the oldest public hospital in America, and the unique medical drama as it follows the brilliant and charming Dr. Max Goodwin, the institution’s newest medical director, who sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care.

And a quote that I am pondering from Phillip Keller: “Contentment should be the hallmark of my life, as I put my affairs in the hands of God.” 

Are you receiving my Weekday Podcasts? It’s a 5-minute encouragement chat with Scripture and unique insights. You can subscribe and listen HERE. weekdaypodcast.com

I’ll be preaching at Sugar Hill Church this Sunday and you might want to join in. Our Worship Gatherings are live at 9:30am and 11:00am, You can also stream our Gatherings at Live.SugarHill.Church or on Facebook.com/SugarHillChurch

Live in Peace this Weekend,

AChuck

Outrageous Foolery

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The world has gone all the way over the hill in its idiocy, cruelty, and incivility!

I refuse to watch the hearings regarding Judge Kavanaugh or Dr. Ford. Not because they aren’t important, but rather because of the sheer foolishness in the conversations. PLEASE don’t get me wrong. I do not want to become another voice in a crowded space of terminally certain people screaming at this process or these people.

I do, however, wish to point out that somehow, someway we have become bullhorns full of often foolish assumptions, attitudes, and narratives that leave no room for civility, decency or gracious leadership.

I’ve never met Dr. Ford and I’ve never met Judge Kavanaugh. I do not know whether he or she over-served themselves in high school, college, or in their present lives.

I do know that both of these people seem to have become pawns in a whirlwind of binary thought focused on party lines. And friend, that’s a shame.

Dr. Ford is probably a credible person that has had a challenging and gut-wrenching experience. Judge Kavanaugh is probably a credible person that has now had a gut-wrenching experience himself. Neither of these folks is ideal or perfect, I’m sure. My soul hurts for them both. They both have been sucked up into a funnel cloud of anger, resentment, incivility, and hate. I’ll bet that both of them would love to go back a couple of months and have a mulligan. But that isn’t going to happen.

This divided loyalist party line foolishness must stop! We cannot continue down this nasty slope of finger-wagging, name calling, and party line dogma that is currently the norm. Not just in DC, but in every area of our life!

The only thing I know to do personally is to want to want to be a better man. A better follower of Jesus, and seek to not let my heart and my soul follow the easy road to sarcasm, incivility, cruel intentions and angry actions. I need to work on me.

God help us if we ever give in to walking the path of critical, mean-spirited conversation regarding everything. I see it in politics, business, families, leadership and yes, in the church.

Surely we are better than all that, aren’t we?

Maybe you are wondering how to start correcting your own voice, attitude or assumptions. Here are three suggestions that I promise to work on with you:

  1. TAKE A LONG LOOK IN THE MIRROR and compile a short list of not more than 3 things that you would like to correct. Maybe it’s a temper or an attitude. Maybe it’s a critical spirit or an envious heart. Ask the Divine to point out the truth in any of these areas. WRITE THEM DOWN! Then assess yourself each day for the next week on a scale of 1-10. “1” is you totally blew it. “10” is you fought that dragon and you are killing it. Here’s a suggestion – You are rarely on either fringe, but you should always be moving forward.
  2. STOP NEGATIVE LANGUAGE! No matter how you may think or feel about something, recognize that just because we think it, doesn’t always make it so. Negative talk to others leaves no room for mercy, grace, wisdom or genuine blessing to become a part of the cure. STOP IT! Stop the negative talk, both to yourself and to others as well.
  3. READ THROUGH THE GOSPELS with a slow, note-taking, methodical read. I promise you that the hate speech that is now our norm can be whisked aside to make room for learning more intently the truths and teachings of Jesus. He is where we will feel a serious respite from the barrage of the shouting masses, regardless of which side they come from.

If we are to find our way out of this pit of foolishness, it will be a result of the people of faith ceasing to engage the foolery.

Take a look at the words used in Proverbs 26:4; “Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.“

If you would like another word on civility, just click HERE on this BLOG:

–AChuck

I Quit

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I quit

Somewhere along our journey, we all have said “I Quit” at some point. Today, I quit a few things that I should have quit a long time ago. Here they are, 10 things that I am quitting:

  1. I quit trying to compare my life to others. It always ends poorly.
  2. I quit worrying about what everybody else thinks about me. I just need to worry about me. It’s a full-time job!
  3. I quit watching the news on any television station. It seems as though they all promote a binary, bigoted position against whatever side they are against. I cannot seem to find a news channel (maybe NPR) that offers facts without commentary.
  4. I quit trying to gauge my plans based on the weather that may or may not happen in Atlanta. I love my man David Chandley, but I’ve postponed far too many events that could have gone on with the show!
  5. I quit trying to read the latest and greatest fad diet and supplement offerings. Bottom line, I need to move more and eat well. I need to train my body to treat food as fuel, not comfort.
  6. I quit trying to please everybody. If that is the goal, I’ve already lost. I’m amazed at the folks that simply don’t like me. I wonder what I would think about me if I sat across the table from me?
  7. I quit trying to figure out why President Trump won’t just stop Tweeting! Oh, my stars! Stop it!
  8. I quit answering Facebook Messenger. I hate it! I can’t keep up with the multitude of ways that I need to keep up with everybody. Email me, text me, smoke signal me, or send me messages via carrier pigeon, but do not contact me via Messenger as of right now!
  9. I quit overscheduling my calendar in the belief that I can indeed get everything done that everybody else has in store for me. I’ll do my job, but please do yours.
  10. I quit speaking negatively about others and about myself. This world has plenty of critics. It doesn’t need me to chime in.

Okay, I quit!

–AChuck

4for FRIDAY with AChuck

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4forFRIDAY September 21, 2018

Most Friday’s I enjoyed sharing at least four recommended reads, listens, learnings or reviews. Here is this week’s 4forFRIDAY! Enjoy

A Great Read and a Great Study: Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado

I loved this book! When it comes to anxiety, depression, and stress-related illnesses, America is the frontrunner. Thankfully, there’s a practical prescription for dealing with these issues. Anxious for Nothing,  from New York Times bestselling author, Max Lucado, provides a roadmap for battling with and healing from anxiety. I am also teaching this study on Thursday evenings in my Small Group!

A Movie that Made me Think and Encouraged Me Greatly: Won’t You Be My Neighbor

I know many of you, like me, enjoy going to the movies. This film was really engaging and insightful. I learned so much and was stirred emotionally by the story of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. The positions he took in the late sixties and early seventies is amazing. If you don’t like it, I’ll refund your money!

A Great Evening Out & About: Alladin at the Fabulous Fox Theatre and Dinner at Livingston

The show was great. That Genie was awesome! This is a great date night. I loved dinner at Livingston. My favorites included Salmon Chips, Shrimp & Grit Cakes, and the Scallops and Grits. This is a fresh twist on southern cuisine. I think you’ll enjoy it!

A Store Full of Cool Stuff: 5.11 Tactical Online or Alpharetta

This store is on the exact opposite plane with Mr. Rogers, but I could spend an hour in this store and wandering thru the online site.

And a quote that I am pondering from Fred Rogers:

“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like “struggle.” To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.”

Are you receiving my Weekday Podcasts? It’s a 5-minute encouragement chat with Scripture and unique insights. You can subscribe and listen HERE. weekdaypodcast.com

I’ll be preaching at Sugar Hill Church this Sunday and you might want to join in. Our Worship Gatherings are live at 9:30am and 11:00am, You can also stream our Gatherings at Live.SugarHill.Church or on Facebook.com/SugarHillChurch

Live in Peace this Weekend,

AChuck

4forFRIDAY with ACHUCKAllen

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4forFRIDAY September 14, 2018

Most Friday’s I enjoyed sharing at least four recommended reads, listens, learnings or reviews. Here is this week’s 4forFRIDAY! Enjoy

A Really Good Read: The God Impulse by Jack Alexander

I loved this book! For Jesus, truth and mercy went hand in hand. Where he preached he also healed. He didn’t outsource one or the other to biblical scholars or nonprofit ministries. He presented the truth of the gospel through his words and his actions, and he did it all in a hands-on, relational way. And the reaction was the same wherever he went – people were amazed. Today we seem to have lost this powerful pattern of self-giving love, focusing on truth at the expense of mercy or on mercy at the expense of truth, and often failing to build genuine, lasting relationships with the people around us.

A Pair of Jeans that any Dude Would Love: LEE Men’s Modern Series Extreme Motion Straight Fit Tapered Leg Jean

Guys, if you are looking for a pair of jeans that can do a date night or a ballgame…And be super comfortable, then these bad boys are for you!

Another Great Read: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller

This is both a classic and a beautifully written piece of art. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 will join Serenity and The Creeds as a beautiful new entry into the Zondervan Gift Timeless Faith Classics line. Combining sophisticated, timeless designs with the sage wisdom of Scripture will make this line a favorite with readers interested in the classic tenants of our faith.

A Song I Cannot Stop Listening to: Fear is a Liar by Zach Williams

I have probably listened to this song 100 times since Sunday. When you are frustrated, anxious, insecure or fearful, listen to this song!

And a quote that I am pondering from Anne Lamotte:

“I do not understand the mystery of grace — only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us.”

Are you receiving my Weekday Podcasts? It’s a 5-minute encouragement chat with Scripture and unique insights. You can subscribe and listen HERE. weekdaypodcast.com

I’ll be preaching at Sugar Hill Church this Sunday and you might want to join in. Our Worship Gatherings are live at 9:30am and 11:00am, You can also stream our Gatherings at Live.SugarHill.Church or on Facebook.com/SugarHillChurch

Live in Peace this Weekend,

AChuck

4forFRIDAY with AChuck

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4forFRIDAY September 7, 2018

Most Friday’s I enjoyed sharing at least four recommended reads, listens, learnings or reviews. Here is this week’s 4forFRIDAY! Enjoy

A Really Good Read: Liking Jesus by Craig Groeschel

In Liking Jesus, a timely and life-changing book, New York Times bestselling author and pastor of Life.Church Craig Groeschel helps to put Christ first again in today’s maxed out, selfie-centered world. The more you compare, the less satisfied you are. The more we interact online, the more we crave intimacy. The more filtered our lives become, the harder it is to be real. I really enjoyed this book. It also challenged me a bit.

A TV Show that I Really Liked: Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime

When CIA analyst Jack Ryan stumbles upon a suspicious series of bank transfers his search for answers pulls him from the safety of his desk job and catapults him into a deadly game of cat and mouse throughout Europe and the Middle East, with a rising terrorist figurehead preparing for a massive attack against the US and her allies. This show can get a little spicy, so get set. If you aren’t a shoot ’em up, spy thriller kinda person, take a pass on this.

Finally – A Pair of Men’s Jeans that I am Comfortable In

LEE Men’s Modern Series Extreme Motion Straight Fit Tapered Leg Jean. These bad boys are super comfortable and leave plenty of room for an every-day-carry ankle holster or fit over a pair of boots.

A Song I Listen to All Day! Still Rolling Stones by Lauren Daigle

This song gives the term “Rise Up” a whole new context. Listen once and it’ll speak to you. It’s a bit bluesy, sassy and sharp. I love it!

And a quote that I am pondering from a great book: Living Without Lack:

“We must be aware of pretense. It is crucial that we do what we can to avoidacting as if everything is fine, when in fact we are suffering. Faith and complaining are not mutually exclusive ”

Are you receiving my Weekday Podcasts? It’s a 5-minute encouragement chat with Scripture and unique insights. You can subscribe and listen HERE. weekdaypodcast.com

I’ll be preaching at Sugar Hill Church this Sunday and you might want to join in. Our Worship Gatherings are live at 9:30am and 11:00am, You can also stream our Gatherings at Live.SugarHill.Church or on Facebook.com/SugarHillChurch

Live in Peace this Weekend,

AChuck

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