A Book I’m Reading – The Life You Long For

It seems like everywhere I turn, someone else is talking about overwhelm and burnout. It is everywhere. One for the problems with burnout is nobody sees it coming. Christy Nockels has written a great book that I think will encourage you.

I met Christy and Nathan briefly years ago when I was speaking at an event in Nashville. Their grace and kind, gentle spirits left an impression on me. They are good people.

From Amazon:

Christy Nockels knows firsthand how easily our desire to serve God—even when using the gifts He has given us—can overshadow our delight in simply being with Him. When God called her to lay down her ministry for a season, Christy was forced to confront how her sense of purpose and worth had become tangled up in her work. God then lovingly invited her to discover true rest in His presence as she learned to live as the Beloved.

In The Life You Long For, Christy shows us how to let go of hustle and achievement and instead find our identity in the quiet center of God’s love. As we delight in being with Him, we are filled to overflowing with contentment and love that propel us into an entirely new way of being, one in which every act of service and every encounter with the people around us arise from a heart at rest.

With irresistible warmth and grace, this book calls you to step fully into the life you didn’t even realize you’ve been seeking, as you find your highest calling not in a duty to uphold but in a beautiful identity to live out.

A Show I Started Watching – Tehran

Tehran is a show on Apple TV+. A lot of people have free access to this service because they’ve purchased an iOS device recently.

Laura and I started watching this show and we’re sucked in. It is about a hacker in a foreign country with an impossible mission.

Express Hibachi in the Atlanta Area – Sumo Hibachi

I have been skeptical of all the fast-food hibachi places that also sell wings. I see them all the time. I finally took a chance and ordered from Sumo Hibachi — they have several locations in the Atlanta area.

I was pleasantly surprised! I had chicken and steamed rice. Laura had chicken, shrimp, and fried rice. Everything was tasty and it came with plenty of yum yum sauce — which is a must!

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

You need to be in a space where if you’re going to be pouring out, you’ve got to take care of your soul.” — @christynockels

A Book I’m Reading – Before You Split

I recommended this book before it hit the shelves. Now that it’s out, I’d like to remind you to check it out. My friend, Pastor Neil Strong, is using it in his marital counseling. He recently told me, “This book would be great for pre-marital counseling as well!” I agree. 

I started reading Before You Split last week. The authenticity Toni writes with is refreshing. The book is full of practical insights that will help even the most fractured relationships improve. I encourage you to check it out — even if you’re not thinking about splitting. You’ll never regret investing in your marriage. 

From Amazon:

If you’ve ever said, “I can’t do this anymore!” out of frustration with your marriage, you’re definitely not alone.

In this practical and insightful guide, former divorce attorney Toni Nieuwhof shows that even if you feel disconnected or stuck in your troubled marriage—and worry about its impact on your kids—there is a way forward.

Before You Split helps you find what you really want from your marriage and how to move forward to a better future by:

• seeing yourself and your spouse more clearly
• dealing with unrealistic expectations
• empowering you with constructive ways to respond to difficult emotions
• engaging the power of forgiveness
• increasing your peacemaking skills
• advancing your journey of personal growth

Even when it feels like it’s over, it’s not too late. Change takes place one step at a time. Before You Split will help you make choices with your eyes wide open.

A Show I Started Watching – Chef’s Table: BBQ

My friend Chuck recommended this show on his recent 4forFriday blog post. I watched the first episode of this season yesterday and I’m hooked. I’m ready for a road trip to Texas to try some of Tootsie’s BBQ!

A Fun Card Game – Exploding Kittens

This card game has a funny name but is a lot of fun. We learned to play this game a couple of weeks ago with some friends and we can’t wait to play another round. (*Sometimes your friends will take advantage of you being a newbie to the game. 😉

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

You are going to build a closer connection with your spouse if you can accept and validate their emotions and not dismiss them.” —@ToniNieuwhof

A Book I’m Reading – Leader Shift

Every leader (person) that wants to keep growing must make strategic shifts to keep from stalling out. Last year certainly proved this. 

I picked up this book some time ago and finally started reading it — I can’t put the highlighter down. If you struggle with change, I’d encourage you to check this book out.

From Amazon:

A masterclass led by internationally recognized leadership expert John C. Maxwell revealing the eleven shifts you should make over the course of you career to keep innovating, improving, and influencing others to the highest levels of success in today’s unprecedented business climate.

Change is so rapid today that leaders must do much more than stay the course to be successful. If they aren’t nimble and ready to adapt, they won’t survive. The key is to learn how to leadershift.

In Leadershift, John C. Maxwell helps leaders gain the ability and willingness to make leadership changes that will positively enhance their organizational and personal growth. He does this by sharing the eleven shifts he made over the course of his long and successful leadership career. Each shift changed his trajectory and set him up for new and exciting achievements, ultimately strengthening and sustaining his leadership abilities and making him the admired leadership expert he is today.

Among those leadershifts are the Adaptive Shift from Plan A to Option A, the Production Shift from Ladder Climbing to Ladder Building, and the Influence Shift from Positional Authority to Moral Authority. Maxwell gives specific guidance to readers about how to make these shifts in their own lives. Each one requires them to change the way they think, act, and ultimately lead so they can be successful in a world that never remains the same.

An Intentional Piece of Art – 4K Weeks Poster

Chances are you and I will live about 4,000 weeks. What will we do with them? The 4K Weeks Poster is a powerful way to remind you to make the most of each day you have. It shows you how many weeks you’ve lived and about how many weeks you have left. It’s a practical way to practice what Moses prayed in Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days…”

I purchased two of these posters. I have the large on at my church office and the smaller one at home. I also have a digital version of this as the background on my phone screen.

A Powerful Little Flashlight – Light I5T

This is a small but mighty little flashlight. 

• The I5T EOS is a tail switch EDC flashlight powered by a single AA battery with an amazing max output of 300 lumens.
• It features a double helix body knurling for attractive appearance, unique style, excellent ventilation and solid grip.
• It is equipped ith a high-performance LED paired with a PMMA optic lens producing a soft and balanced beam for comfortable use.
• It also features dual direction pocket clip for multiple carrying options such as a pocket, backpack strap or hat brim as a headlamp in seconds for hands-free experience, making the flashlight incredibly convenient to take with you everywhere.
• Smooth and easy operation: The tail switch features a built-in spring, making the pressure smooth and just right; Embedded with small pearls silicone surface, the switch provides an anti-slip pressing experience.

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

Change or die.” – Thomas Edgley

10 Minute a Day Reading – Leading with Character

From Amazon:

At the end of your life, how are you likely to be remembered? Chances are that people won’t be praising your money, power, and status. Instead, the people you’ve impacted will remember you for your compassion and personal strength―in short, your character. Unfortunately, many leaders are unaware of their character shortcomings and blind spots that hold so many of us back from building the lasting legacy we are capable of.

With the right motivation, you can begin to strengthen your character and become a moral and ethical leader capable of creating lasting change. In Leading with Character: 10 Minutes a Day to a Brilliant Legacy, Dr. Jim Loehr, cofounder of the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, reveals 50 character competencies that you can practice daily to transform your life and work.

This book will also guide you through the process of developing a Personal Credo that will serve as your decision-making mission statement. Most leaders never take the time to identify their own core values, instead defaulting to a reflexive form of decision making. Gain an awareness of the conscious and unconscious processes that guide what you do and why you do it, and take charge of your leadership legacy.

Even good leaders are vulnerable to corruption. Read Leading with Character to learn how human evolution and contemporary culture can lead us astray without our even knowing it. As we work hard to get to the top, who are we becoming along the way? If we want to become heroes whose memories will long outlast us, we need to channel our energy into creating habits that will add up to a strong and meaningful character.

A Tasty Snack – CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky

I bought a box of these recently and love them!

From Amazon:

• CLEAN SNACK – Each 1.15oz meat stick has 9g of protein, low sodium, low fat, low carb, sugar free & only 90 calories
• DIET APPROVED – Our jerky sticks are Keto Friendly, Whole30 Approved, Paleo, Non-GMO, Certified Gluten Free
• ALLERGEN FRIENDLY – All natural, real ingredients that are dairy free, soy free, nut free, gluten free, sugar free
• ON-THE-GO, QUALITY PROTEIN – Our beef is 100% Grass Fed & Finished, Certified Humane, and nitrate nitrite free
• DELICIOUS TASTE – Original Beef features the same savory taste that made us popular: slightly smoky, slightly spicy

A Tasty Drink On The Go Drink – CELSIUS

My brother-in-law introduced me to CELSIUS drinks over the holidays. They are delicious, full of vitamins, and clean.

I am looking forward to trying the packet version this week.

• ON-THE-GO Powder Packets, Same Benefits as CELSIUS Energy Drink
• Essential Energy
• No Sugar, No Preservatives
• No Artificial Flavors or Colors
• 7 Essential Vitamins
• Gluten-Free, Kosher, Non-GMO, & Certified Vegan
• Cranberry Lemon, 14 Sticks Per Pack

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

Only one kind of leadership can successfully respond to a moral crisis: moral leadership. It’s especially in times of crisis that people naturally look to authority for truthful answers, wise guidance, courageous action, and hope.” – Dov Seidman, author of How

A Book about Angel – Lifted by Angels

Joel Miller is a writer I really respect. When I saw what he wrote, I immediately went out and bought his book. Joel wrote:

“Angels are part of the supporting cast of the Christmas story. And it just so happens I wrote a book all about them! So, if there’s still room in your stocking . . .”

Joel’s book is called Lifted by Angels. If you are looking for a book written by a smart, thoughtful author, I recommend you check this one out. I can’t wait to dive in!

From Amazon:

Explores the relationship between people and angels, through the eyes of the early church.

Heaven is closer than we realize. Its boundaries overlap our own, and angels move in and out of our porous present, this moment that seems to us so solid and concrete. If that reality seems dim to us now, it beamed for the early Christians. Through their writings, sermons, songs, and art, the ancient faithful confessed a powerful and vivid belief that angels help carry us on our journey to God.

Rooted in the Scripture and following this ancient understanding, Lifted by Angels reveals:

• the role that angels play in the lives of people and in God’s plan of salvation
• the different ranks and functions of angels
• how Satan and his demons fell from grace and plagued humans
• the functions of guardian angels and how God assigns them to fit our personal needs
• how guardian angels help us resist evil, temptation, and the devil
• the way angels join with us in our prayers, even adding their own to ours
• the service angels provide in worship

Featuring examples of angels in ancient icons and frescoes and supported by extensive research on the early church and its pastors, poets, theologians, and artists, Lifted by Angels answers universal curiosity about angels and the unseen world, leaving readers inspired and hopeful about the nearness of God.

One Place for Helpful Apps – Setapp

Setapp is a subscription based App Store that has tons of really helpful apps.  I am amazed at the apps people think up. I have found them to be useful and provide time-savings.

Instead of buying a bunch of apps I may only use once, I subscribe to Setapp where I can typically find everything I need for one low monthly price. It’s definitely worth checking out. 

The Best Caterer and Baker in Town – Vickie Lambright

I have written about other bakers and caterers — but none compare to my good friend Vickie Lambright!

Vickie can do just about anything! She caters 99% of the events at our church. She also bakes incredible deserts. Most recently, Vickie has taken on the challenge of baking vegan desserts for my dairy-avoiding wife — and they are all delicious. She also makes killer salted caramel desserts. Every time I think I’ve tried the best dessert ever, she surprises me with a new one!

So if you have an event, family gathering, wedding, or work party coming up, I’d recommend emailing Vickie and letting her wow your attendees. You will not be disappointed!

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A Quote from I’m Thinking About

Some people die at age 25 and aren’t buried until they are 75.” — Attributed to Benjamin Franklin