A Book I’m Re-reading: Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt

I re-read this book each year. Michael’s goal-setting & goal-ahieving framework has helped Laura & I realize some of our biggest goals. If you’re looking to gain personal and professional traction this eyar, I’d encourage you to read (or listen) to this book. You can also purchase his online video course here where he walks you through the framework step by step.

A Free Resource from Sugar Hill Church: 21 Days of Power

We truly hope that 2020 is Your Best Year! We fully believe that the best way to have the best year is through an intentional relationship with God. That’s why we’re beginning the year with 21 days of prayer and fasting. We’ve created a guide for the next 21 days, and we hope you’ll use it in your own journey. Click here to download it.

A Great Book on Financial Freedom: Alt Money Choices by Charis Brown

This quick-read is full of practical advice for finding financial freedom. I’d encourage you to read this book and discover some creative ways to find financial freedom.

A Quote I’m Thinking About

Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.

A Book I’m Reading: Life Without Lack

I’m listening to this book using the Audible app. This book by Dallar Willard  is a great reminder that we can live without fear or any need because the Lord is the good shepherd. This book helps understand the teaching of Psalm 23.

A New Keto Book: Keto for Life

Mark Sisson is a popular author who has talked about the benefits of primal eating for years. His latest book gives a helpful framework for thinking about health and longevity from a wholistic standpoint. Thought I don’t agree with all that he says, I have found it to be a helpful resource.

A Couple’s Devotional: The Meaning of Marriage

Laura and I will be reading from this devotional throughout the week this year and discussing over dinner. Marriage is so important. No society can thrive without healthly marriages. I’d encourage you to make an intentioanl investment in yours.

A Quote I’m Thinking About

My intention is to help you realize that fear and worry are worthless—indeed, vain—emotions. If you are frightened or afraid, there is no use feeling guilty about it. What you need to do is fix your mind upon God and ask him to fill your mind with himself. And as your mind is transformed, your whole personality will be transformed, including your body and your feelings. The transformation of the self away from a life of fear and insufficiency takes place as we fix our minds upon God as he truly is.” — Dallas Willard

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.

A Book I’m Reading: Good Habits, Bad Habits

I just started this book. So far, I’m hooked! 

From Amazon:

A landmark book about how we form habits, and what we can do with this knowledge to make positive change

We spend a shocking 43 percent of our day doing things without thinking about them. That means that almost half of our actions aren’t conscious choices but the result of our non-conscious mind nudging our body to act along learned behaviors. How we respond to the people around us; the way we conduct ourselves in a meeting; what we buy; when and how we exercise, eat, and drink—a truly remarkable number of things we do every day, regardless of their complexity, operate outside of our awareness. We do them automatically. We do them by habit. And yet, whenever we want to change something about ourselves, we rely on willpower. We keep turning to our conscious selves, hoping that our determination and intention will be enough to effect positive change. And that is why almost all of us fail. But what if you could harness the extraordinary power of your unconscious mind, which already determines so much of what you do, to truly reach your goals?

An Amazon Essential: Folding Pocket Utility Knife

If you’re the kind of person that has boxes showing up regularly at your house, this knife is for you! 

A Great Sleep Aid: The Best Sleeping Mask

Sleep is vitally important, and a sleep mask helps me get better sleep. This mask claims to be the world’s comfiest 100% blackout sleep mask. 

A Quote I’m Thinking About

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” — Nelson Mandela

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.

A Book I’m Reading: Following Jesus by Henri Nouwen

From Amazon:

At one of the lowest points in Henri Nouwen’s life, he gave a series of lectures on the importance of following Jesus in an age of anxiety. Drawn from those talks, this new work reveals what sustained Nouwen to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus and led him to become an icon of compassion and vulnerability. Here he writes eloquently about calling and purpose, fear and hope. And he explains why—with so many choices available to the twenty-first-century seeker—the greatest reward for those looking for spiritual direction is rediscovering Jesus’s teaching on love. Along the way, Nouwen offers warm, insightful, practical habits to help readers navigate the narrow, sometimes arduous, but ultimately fulfilling road of conviction and faith.

A Fast Food Resturant I like: Cookout

Check out cookout if you are looking for a great burger and shake. I first heard about Cookout when I was speaking at an event in South Carolina. Now, I live 10 minutes away from the Oakwood location, and I love it. The food tastes great, and it’s inexpensive. Fun fact: you can get a quesadilla as a side item — what?!

A Christmas Eve Service I’m Looking Forward To: 11 pm @ Sugar Hill Church

One of the unique parts of Christmas Eve is our Candlelight Communion Service. This year, we’ll have a special 11:00 pm gathering in The Chapel as a time of reflection and celebration. Please make plans to join us for this 45-minute gathering as we remember the real reason for the season.

A Quote I’m Thinking About

Don’t mistake activity with achievement.” ― John Wooden

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.

A Song I Have on Repeat – Song of Ascent

My friend, Austin Poff, recently sang this song at our Blue Christmas Gathering. It was a powerful moment, and I’ve had the song on repeat ever since.

A Book I’m Re-reading – Your Best Year Ever

Michael Hyatt has become a trusted voice of encouragement in my life. His book, Your Best Year Ever, provides a framework for achieving your most important goals. The framework in this book has helped Laura and me achieve some goals much sooner than we thought possible. Our staff will work through the same framework in early January.

A Podcast I’m Listening To – The Weekday Meditation

My friend and pastor, Chuck Allen, records these daily meditations. This tool helps ground you and get you focused on what matters most. If you could use a little peace, power, and direction, I’d encourage you to give this podcast a listen.

A Quote I’m Thinking About

Do not think or do anything without having some aim in sight; the person who journeys aimlessly will have labored in vain.” — Mark the Monk

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.