Achuckallen

Instigating Better

4ForFriday

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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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

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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Week eighteen of 2023 is almost in the books, and it has been a crazy week. I trust that yours has been awesome and that YOUR WEEKEND AHEAD WILL BE AWESOME! I read these words earlier this week, and I trust they are an encouragement to you.
What do very happy people have in common? The Wall Street Journal followed up with the 12% of respondents in a WSJ-NORC survey who called themselves “very happy”  and asked them what they were all about. Here are the traits they share.

  • Companionship: 67% of the happiest people said marriage was very important to them, compared to 43% of respondents.
  • Religion: Two-thirds of very happy people characterized themselves as moderately or very religious. The overall share: less than half.
  • Closer to death: People 60 and over accounted for 44% of the happiest group but represented 30% of total survey respondents.
  • Gym rats: Fitness was a common interest among very happy people.

What doesn’t seem to matter to become very happy? Political party affiliation or avoiding following politics. —Neal Freyman

Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.

1. Nothing can improve your Day More than Margin. Whether it is financial, relational, or time management, margin is your friend. Fight for it!

2. Stop Trying to Impress People. If you are still playing the comparison game, you are losing.

3. Think About Your Circles of Influence Through this Quote: “Those who follow Jesus should attract the same people Jesus attracted and frustrate the same people Jesus frustrated.” —Shane Claiborne

4. Never Stop Learning. This isn’t just a strong way to stay sharp but a way to grow to become more like Jesus. Win-Win!

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

A Movie We Loved: “GHOSTED” (on Apple TV)

A Book that I Loved: Drop the Stones

Another Movie We Loved: The Covenant (movie theatre)

My Favorite Bakery/Deli: Henri’s (now open in Peachtree Corners)

A Quote from Hugh L. Hollowell:

“Every time we use religion to draw a line that keeps people out, Jesus is with the people on the other side of that line.”

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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Week thirteen of 2023 is almost in the books,
and it has been a hectic, overextended, awesome 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 31, 2023.

Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.

  1. The ability to stop and assess your reality is a gift from God. Use it.
  2. When people criticize you, use it to strengthen your resolve to get better or move past it, depending on its efficacy.
  3. Change is an essential part of life. Embrace the uncertainty of change, and you’ll discover a more peace-filled journey.
  4. If you bank your life on humans, you will remain in a constant state of frustration. If you bank your life on the power of Christ, you’ll remain in a position of strength.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

A YouTube Video that Was Very Helpful:
The 10 BEST Knots in Life [For VISUAL Learners]

A NetFlix Show We Enjoyed:
The Night Agent

A Super Helpful Article from HubSpot:
C-Suite Secrets: Productivity Tips From Executive Assistants

A Really Solid Book:
The Adversity Advantage: Turning Everyday Struggles into Everyday Greatness

A Quote from Aaron Lauritsen:

“The struggles we endure today will be the ‘good old days’
we laugh about tomorrow.”

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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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

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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Week nine of 2023 is almost in the books, and it has been a hectic week. I’ll bet that yours has been a bit hectic as well. May the Lord Bless You this Weekend with Rest.
Here are your 4forFRIDAY reviews for March 3, 2023.

Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.

  1. Taking up an offense is a radical waste of energy.
  2. Choosing not to forgive might cost you more than the original offense ever could.
  3. People that are hurting will inevitably hurt you. Help them anyway.
  4. Peace really is the greatest commodity on the planet. Seek it with all of your heart.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

I Loved this Podcast from Brené Brown: The Mentor Method and Why Values Matter

A Fascinating Book: Ideaflow: The Only Business Metric that Matters,

A Gadget that I Love: Ultra-High-Speed USB C Wall Outlet Charger

A Fun Travel Article: The 20 Greatest Beach Towns in America

A Quote from Rumi:

“Yesterday, I was clever and wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

Go in Peace, Chuck

4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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Week seven of 2023 is almost in the books, and it has been a challenging, but awesome week.
Here are your 4forFRIDAY reviews for February 17, 2023.

Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.

  1. I was reminded that there will always be people that find fault with anything or everything.
  2. I learned that you can teach yourself new habits, but it’s not as simple as sticking to it.
  3. I learned that there are hurting people in every social sphere and every financial state.
  4. I learned that praying the book of Proverbs is powerful.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

A Great Business Book: Ignite a Shift: Engaging Minds, Guiding Emotions and Driving Behavior

A Really Good Article from Crosswalk: 5 Things Christians Label as ‘Sin’ That Aren’t Actually Sinful

Really Fresh Chinese Food: Emerald China on Peachtree Industrial in Duluth, GA

I Love this Playlist from Spotify: A Little Honey Radio

A Quote from Tony Evans:

“Many of us are being held hostage by bitterness because we are not willing to give to others what we have been given.”

Go in Peace, Chuck