Achuckallen

Instigating Better

Peace

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 fifteen of 2023 is almost in the books, and it has been a great week, including a full day of fly-fishing. I trust that yours has been tremendous and that YOUR WEEKEND AHEAD WILL BE AWESOME! I’d like to share a prayer from Anne Lamott – “Here are the two best prayers I know: ‘Help me, help me, help me’ and ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Four Lessons That I Learned This Week.

1. Remember that Everyone is Going Through Something. This is an absolute truth. Everyone I meet is going through something. Our goal is to recognize and empathize.

2. Embrace Imperfection. You are imperfect as much or more than that person you see imperfection in. The goal isn’t perfect. It’s practice. Consistent instigation of better.

3. You are Loved. Remember that God loves you, and you cannot do anything to make Him not love you!

4. Enlisting Help is a Sign of Strength, Not Weakness. Far too often, we do not seek help in an effort to “soldier on.” Trusting that you need help and asking for it is a superior strength, not a point of weakness.

This Week’s 4forFRIDAY

A Band that I Am LOVING! Trombone Shorty.

A Book that IS SOOOOOOO GOOD! A Curious Faith: The Questions God Asks, We Ask, and We Wish Someone Would Ask Us by Lore Ferguson Wilbert.

A Really Good Article from Alan Stein, Jr.: THE 3 MANTRAS OF HIGH PERFORMING LEADERS

A Powerful Slideshow from Crosswalk: 10 Churches You Might Want to Avoid

A Quote from Lore Ferguson Wilbert:

“I need a God who doesn’t just give me what I want when I want it but who shows up in the middle spaces – who reminds me of his nearness, goodness, faithfulness, and presence. And if I don’t sense those aspects of God today. I need to keep asking for it and not just some temporary relief of my most pressing desires today.”

Go in Peace, Chuck

The Thief and Your Theology

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How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology? No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, and no church clothes.

He couldn’t even bend his knees to pray. He didn’t say the sinner’s prayer and among other things, he was a thief. Jesus didn’t take away his pain, heal his body, or correct the scoffers.

He was a thief who walked into heaven at the same hour as Jesus simply by believing. He had nothing more to offer than believing that Jesus was who he said he was.

No spin from a brilliant hipster mega preacher. No ego or arrogance. No shiny lights, skinny jeans, or crafty words. No social media posts, stories, reels, or tweets. No haze machine, donuts, or coffee at the entrance. Just an unclothed dying man on a cross unable to even fold his hands to pray.

For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believed in him would not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I read those words earlier this week, and they shook me. I mean, they really shook me to my core.

In our effort to grow numbers, hype, and platforms, American Christians have substituted the simplicity of Jesus being crucified, buried, and risen to give us life with a shallow, entertainment-driven version of THE GOSPEL.

I am part of the problem! When I make the church the center of me, the reason we exist, or the number of people that attend the standard of greatness, I am the problem! The only reason the church exists is Jesus the Lord. Period, hard stop.

The only good that I offer the world is because of Jesus. The message the church offers, remembering that I am the church and you are the church, is Jesus, born to a virgin mother, living sinlessly, radically transforming the world. He disrupted the norms of the day, challenged the thinking of the wise, welcomed the poor and the humble, and showed disdain for only one group – the most religious people of the day. OUCH!

For all of the arguments around theology, fundamentalists, charismatics, reformed, and denominations, the one test of authentic theology is found in this dude on a criminal’s cross next to Jesus, who simply believed. No room for church membership, tithing, worship songs, praise music, or comfy chairs. He didn’t even have a projector with cool-looking slides, for goodness sake. He simply believed.

Luke 23:39-43 (NLT)
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself-and us, too, while you’re at it!” [40] But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? [41] We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” [42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” [43] And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

If this challenges your theology, welcome to the humbled group of Jesus Followers I belong to. A group too easily swayed by the shiny preacher in sneakers, the hip worship leader in a cool hat, or the church with the really cool building that feels like a resort when you arrive.

Please don’t get me wrong. I agree with the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, where he states,
“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. [23] I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”

But when the style becomes the theology, or the orthodoxy becomes the god, we need the reminder of the theology discovered on the cross with Jesus stating the beautiful words, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

As we prepare for Holy Week, millions of us will flock to the beach for Spring Break. May we remember that the same love shared with that thief is available today. Let our theology be that of the interaction with Jesus and the thief-dude. Believe and receive the love of the one that you cannot make not love you.

Go in Peace, Chuck

When Life Stinks, Remember the Good

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Keys to Change: Remember the Good When It Feels Like Life Stinks

Life can be tough sometimes. You may feel like you’re stuck in a rut, and nothing seems to go your way. But here’s the thing: even when it feels like life is against you, there are still good times to remember.

In this week’s article, let’s explore how to keep those positive memories alive and use them as a source of strength during challenging times. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some powerful techniques that will help you look on the bright side no matter what! Not for the sake of a pollyanna perspective, but rather with a helpful, powerful way to reimagine your reality.


We all have positive memories from the past that make us happy. These could be moments spent with loved ones or trips you’ve taken in the past. Whatever it is, these memories can often provide comfort and stability when life seems to be going against you. To ensure you stay focused on the good times, it’s essential to take time to reflect on them regularly.

When you read about the life of King David, that dude had some really stinking days. He knew the good, the bad, and the ugly. He knew victory, defeat, adoring fans, and the sting of ego run amuck. But David also wrote in Psalm 103.2, “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”

David is fired up about the remembrances of all God has done for him in his recent and distant past. Unfortunately, when I feel confident that my life is in the drainage ditch, I do not remember all God has done for me; I can turn into a victim, a whiner, and a not-very-fun human to be around.

Remembering God’s grace in, through, and on my life allows me to worship and feel freedom, peace, and happiness. Remembering that he cares about me daily reminds me that he is so good and we will be okay, especially when we choose to rest in Him.

When I choose to remember God’s grace, I keep myself from falling into victim mindsets that do nothing good for me and certainly do not bring Him glory. Remembering that He is my portion, strength, and power allows me to see past the petty things of life and focus on what matters most. I desperately need to be reminded when life feels like it stinks of all God’s benefits.

I must remember to choose to remember!

I can let my negative bias run away with my head and my heart if I am not careful.

One way to stay on top of remembering good is through journaling. Writing down your fondest memories can help bring them back to life and remind you of the good times despite challenging times. Capture the big and small things that God has done for you. The power of writing is significant. Maybe you think more linear than narrative? Then capture your thoughts with bullets, not paragraphs. Bullets are better for me.

Another powerful tool for keeping good times alive is music. Creating a playlist of fun or encouraging songs from your past will allow you to revisit those moments each time you listen to them. Music has been used throughout history as a way to evoke emotion and reconnect with fond memories, so why not use it to your advantage? I have four playlists that are my go-to when I start getting bogged down in believing life stinks. 1) classic rock 2) funky southern rock 3) Christian power praise 4) worshipful anthems.

It’s easy to forget the good times when life stinks. But it’s important to remember the good times, even when things are tough. Why? Because remembering the good times can help you see that things aren’t always bad. And, when you see that things aren’t always bad, it can give you hope that things will get better. David says, “man, life can stink, but look at all God has delivered me through already – let’s do this!”

So, how do you remember the good times when it feels like life stinks? Here are some tips:

  1. Keep a journal. Add this habit to reading scripture.
  2. Pray out loud. I can’t explain it, but it’s powerful.
  3. Talk about your happy memories with friends and family. When you share your memories with others, they become even more special. Especially the spiritual tracks that you’ve shared with friends.
  4. Write about your happy memories on social media. Sharing positive experiences with others can help brighten their day—and yours!
  5. Create a playlist of songs that remind you of happy times. Music can be a powerful way to evoke memories and emotions.

What Causes Us to Focus on the Negative?

We all have experienced moments where it feels like life is against us. Times when we focus on the negative and can’t seem to remember the good times. What causes us to focus on the negative?

There are several factors that can contribute to this negativity bias, including:

-Human Evolution: Our ancestors who were able to focus on potential threats and danger survived while those who didn’t, well, didn’t. So, we’ve grown more attuned to potential threats and dangers. And yet, we cannot seem to concur with this one truth. We should never believe everything our brain thinks.

-The media: The news is filled with stories of tragedy and disaster because that’s what sells. We are bombarded with images and stories of violence, crime, natural disasters, etc. This constant stream of negativity can influence our own thinking and make us more likely to focus on the negative in our own lives. Take a news fast starting right now!

-Negative experiences: Unfortunately, bad experiences often impact us more than good ones. A single negative experience can color our perception of a situation or person. And once we’ve formed a negative opinion, it’s hard to change it. When I have 200 compliments about a talk, and one negative statement, I remember the negative to the power of about 300, and nothing else matters. That’s when, like David, I must be reminded of how much negativity God has already carried me through.

-Spiritual Warfare: It’s pretty real, friends. Satan would love to have you thinking life stinks and distract you from all your Creator has in store for you. God has good in store for you, and this world is rigged to rob it from you if you stay in the mope-a-dopes about your days. Don’t give Satan an easy win.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to counterbalance this negativity bias and remember the good times even when life is tough. Some tips include:

-Make a conscious effort to pay attention to the positive things in your life, no matter how small they may be. Acknowledge them and give yourself credit for them. See God at work in everything from a rainbow to a parking spot.

-Spend time with positive people who lift you and help you focus on the good things in life—especially the things of God and God’s narrative. I am convinced that when we openly speak about the good things of God, good things follow.

-Take a break from the news and media if it’s becoming too overwhelming. If you want to replace it with something great, watch The Chosen.

-Practice mindfulness to stay in the present moment and appreciate what is happening now. Allow your prayer life to intersect with the rest of your life. Intentionally look for God to do good things in you and for you.

It can be tough to remember the good times when it feels like life is against you. But thankfully, there are some strategies you can use to help you out. Here are four methods to remember good moments:

  1. Write them down – JOURNAL!!!

One of the best ways to remember specific good moments is to write them down as soon as they happen. This way, you that you can refer to it later. Not only that but writing about your positive experiences can help boost your mood in the present moment.

  1. Take photos or videos.

Another great way to capture and remember good moments is to take photos or videos of them. This way, you can revisit the experience any time you want by looking at the visual record you created. And, just like with writing things down, taking photos or videos of happy moments can also help boost your mood in the present moment. Finally, share with people, so they can share and encourage you, especially outside of social media.

3. Reflect on them regularly.

One of the best things you can do to ensure that you remember good moments is to reflect on them regularly. This could mean setting aside some time each day to recall positive memories, or simply taking a few moments throughout the day to appreciate those happy experiences. Doing this will help you stay connected to the good in your life, no matter what else is going on. Build a spiritual habit to capture a few things that you are grateful for, and write them down! Reviewing them will give you a attitude of gratitude.

Building Healthy Habits to Celebrate the Good Times

When you’re feeling down, it can be hard to remember the good times. But it’s important to focus on the positive moments in your life, even when things seem tough. Here are some tips for building healthy habits to celebrate the good times:

  1. Make time for yourself. It’s important to schedule time into your day or week just for yourself. Whether it’s taking a gym class, going for a walk, or reading your favorite book for 15 minutes, make sure you’re carving out time to do things that make you happy.
  2. Spend time with folks that are significant to you. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and who support you. This could be family, friends, or even a pet. Laughter is known to boost your mood, so try to spend time laughing with loved ones as often as possible. Don’t let yourself think too seriously about every moment of every day.
  3. Get moving. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. So get your body moving however you can – go for a run, dance around your living room, or take a fitness class at the gym. My preferred exercise is headphones on, classic rock blaring and walking my dogs.
  4. Be mindful of what you eat and drink. Eating slightly healthier foods and staying hydrated can help improve your mood and energy levels. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day!
  5. Practice gratitude. When you start feeling down, take a moment to think about all the things and ways God is caring for you.

It can be easy to focus on the negative aspects of life when it feels like everything is going wrong. However, it is essential to remember the good times as well. Good memories can help you overcome tough times and remind you that there are still good things in your life worth fighting for.

Don’t choose to believe life stinks, not when there is so much to be excited about, including you are alive right now! Remember David’s Psalm, “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”

Go in Peace, Chuck

PRAYING IN A WORLD GONE MAD

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JANUARY 11, 2023

It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to determine that this world has gone mad. From politics to race relations, the human race has become a blustering ball of hate. We use the harshest of words to frame someone different than us as a villain. We do that on social media as we hide behind keyboards and in social discourse on the ballfield, the courtroom, the classroom, and the church. We have become angry mobs of like-minded minions swayed like a palm tree in a tropical storm.

Then what is that God would have us do to make an impact on this mess? The answer is straightforward if you claim to be a Follower of Jesus. Jesus said we should “love one another as I have loved you.” Well, how about that? Chuck, if I act more like Jesus, do I have to love “those people?” There is the rub. It isn’t about what you have to do; it is all about what Jesus does in you. You see, He directed us to love Him and that if we did, we would follow His commands. Of those commands, the most important thing was that we love God and others as we love ourselves. He said everything else was small compared to that. He said every other rule didn’t matter unless you got that one right.

That would mean we should focus on getting the love of God and others right in our lives.

But how? Thanks for asking!

  1. Don’t overthink this. Spend time with Jesus. Jesus loves us with an everlasting love. As a result, you can come to Him anytime you want because He first loved us! So, start talking to Him right now. “Hi Jesus, it’s me. It’s been a while, but I need some direction…” Just talk to him like you would a friend. He can’t wait to hear from you.
  2. Thank Him for breath, life, food, shelter, and whatever you are grateful for. When we place ourselves in a posture of gratitude, we can see how desperate we are for Him and how small we are in comparison. We also grow contented with gratitude as an awareness that what we have is enough when we are grateful.
  3. Ask Jesus for wisdom, good decisions, healthy relationships, and moment-by-moment direction for the day.
  4. Ask Him to reveal any poor attitudes, bitterness, resentment, sin, or anger in your life that you need to let go of. If you ask, He will answer. Often we need Him to get in the nooks and crannies of our souls and point out every way that we are not in sync with Him or others. Then ask Him to forgive and remove those. He is always faithful to do so.
  5. Pray for other people in your life. Everybody has needs, and every person on the planet needs people to pray for them.
  6. Bring your requests and needs to Him. He loves it when His kids come to Him for answers first.
  7. Pray it all in Jesus’ name, which is to say, Jesus, I trust you to take these prayers and do with them what is best for me and brings you glory.
  8. Keep this channel of conversation open all day. Talk with Jesus about everything. He can handle it.

    Better politics, education, or wealth cannot redeem the world that has gone mad. But Jesus can! All things were made by Him, for Him, and through Him. That makes Him the linchpin that all of the universe is in need of. From India to Indiana, Latvia to Los Angeles, a world gone mad has one hope – growing to know, love, and trust Jesus. Why not pray for that to happen? That is as it is supposed to be. Followers of Jesus trusting that Jesus can and will change the world.

    Here are five great reasons for you to pray without ceasing:

    First, prayer is necessary. We are never too busy to pray. Most of us, much of the time, feel as if we are too busy to pray. We have to sleep, after all. We have to work. We have to take care of the kids. We have to have some downtime, don’t we? And when all those things we have to do are done, there is hardly any time for prayer! At least, that’s what we tell ourselves. And yet, the truth is that we need prayer as surely as sleep, food, and rest. Each of us relies on God, and we demonstrate this reliance by praying. Jesus had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and yet he prayed. How much more should we?

    Second, prayer demands solitude. It is a powerful lesson – Jesus got away from the crowd to pray. He sought a place of quiet. Scripture does not command us to pray in solitude, but we should take the model of Jesus to heart. We should make it a personal discipline to unplug from the world before speaking to the One who made it.

    Third, prayer will often be strenuous. Scripture says that “Jesus continued to pray all night.” He once rebuked his disciples for failing to stay awake to pray. Jesus felt the need to sleep and rest. Yet he believed it was more important for him to stay alert and pray. What makes us think that our prayer life should be easy? Persistence ought to be the hallmark of every believer’s prayers.

    Fourth, prayer has a purpose. When we pray, we ought to know what needs to be accomplished. I like the well-worn acronym A.C.T.S. We pray to adore the Father because he is worthy of all adoration. We pray to confess our sins because we are to be daily aware of our need for forgiveness. We pray to thank God because an attitude of thanksgiving is a mark of every true believer. Finally, we pray supplication, asking God to provide because we know he cares about what we need. This is what it looks like for us to pray with a purpose.

    Fifth, prayer is effective. Having stayed up all night talking to his heavenly Father, Jesus was ready to pick twelve men to serve him on earth. Jesus prayed, the Father answered, and Jesus chose the twelve. Jesus prayed because he knew no decision was outside the will of the Lord. But having prayed, Jesus acted. We pray because we know that God is sovereign. And then we act, trusting that God will guide our steps.                      

    Yes, the world has gone mad, but Jesus can and will recover, heal and redeem this rotten world if His people choose to pray.

    2 Chronicles 7:14
    Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

    Go in Peace, Chuck

    4forFRIDAY with Chuck Allen

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    1. An APP We Can All Benefit from ANXTY Widget (Panic Button)

    This is most likely my favorite ap of 2022. I use it every day. It’s a simple way to connect and anchor your runaway thoughts to the intense love of God. It’s so, so good. If you are stressed, anxious, or fearful. Maybe even overwhelmed, this is a life-altering app. The folks from SoulSpace.co did it again. This is a must for every follower of Jesus!

    2. A Gadget that I Use Every Single Day: Broadlink WiFi Plugs

    Worshipful, powerful, inspiring, happy. I could go on and on. When you get to Revelation 19:1, just crank it up! BroadLink Smart Plug Mini, Smart Wi-Fi Timer Outlet Socket Works with Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Support Both 2.4G and 5G Wi-Fi.

    3. An Article That Can Help Anyone, from INC. Magazine

    I’ve been an evangelist for gratitude for years, but when you read an article designed for business leaders that supports your theology of gratitude, it’s hard to pass up. The article starts this way; “Everyone wants to be happier. Yet happiness can sometimes seem hard to come by.”

    A Fun and delicious Dinner Downtown: Campagnolo

    Last week, we joined a few neighbors for dinner at this fashionable and fun restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed our evening. It really is a great date spot and delicious Italian food! The lasagna was good,, but the Spaghetti a Cacio e Pepe was amazing!

    A Wonderful Quote from Max Lucado

    “You don’t influence God’s love. You can’t impact the tree-ness of a tree, the sky-ness of a sky, or the rock-ness of a rock. Nor can you affect the love of God.”

    Go in Peace, Chuck