by James L. Walker, Jr.

Editor Note:  This is a reprint from my friend and colleague James L. Walker.  I felt it warranted a larger audience. So I am reposting here on my blog:

WANTED 100 Men!

As we go thru this Lent Season and prepare for Easter and just simply seek to grow in all ways, I am asking as Many Men Who Can And Will to be Transparent With Me And Repeat this Prayer and Pledge With Me –

“Lord, I Thank You For This Day and I Thank You for this Season and for being in My Life! I Ask you to Make Me A Better Man, Father, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Son, Grandfather, Nephew, God Father, Step-Son, Step-Dad, Mentor, and Person Period! Lord You Know My Struggles and Insecurities and what hinders my transformation to be what you have called and preordained me to be! So please break, stomp out and shatter all of those childish things that have blocked my path and my blessing.

Lord restore that which needs restoration and remove that which is hindering my Growth Spiritually, Mentally, Physically, Emotionally and Economicallly! This is My Prayer as a MAN, Humbly Submitted!” Men if you Co-Sign, Let Me Hear You with A Comment or Click “like” Below with transparency or Inbox Me! Ladies please sign on as well with a POSITIVE comment or “like” and support of our BROTHERS who, believe it or not, want to do better, but sometimes our pride and egos get the best of us!

God spoke to me last night and ask me to Post This–not sure who it is for beyond myself, but I have to be obedient and I Love all you brothers so dearly! Many Brothers have asked me about holding it all together and that is in essence the weekly and daily Prayer I recite–nothing deep about it! #Transparency#

Today I continued cleaning out my old server. As a hosting company, I had several hundreds of accounts I that I maintained for clients. Well a few years ago, I moved 90 percent of my accounts to a faster and better server. I only kept a few active accounts on that old server. As I went through the server this morning, I realized that I never deleted the old accounts from the old server. Here was the kicker,  I am still paying the leasing fees for that server with all of those accounts. Some are still clients, but most have been terminated or moved.

Can you believe that!!! For years I have been carrying dead weight. For years I have been paying for the dead weight.

What was I afraid of?

I was afraid of losing some things. I was afraid to admit that these accounts were terminated or moved. Secretly I was hoping they would come back. I was betting what if?

Here is what I learned.

When moving up in the world, you can’t be afraid to delete some things. You can’t be afraid to let some things go. You can’t carry people that don’t want to support you.

If you want to keep it. Archive it, pack it, and put it away. No reason you have to keep it in your paying platform.

Translation.

While my situation deals with a physical server, you may be having this say issue in your company, your ministry or your life. Your paying platform might be your attention, your employees, or systems that are not working. Are you paying double?

Understand that some dead weight has to be archived, packed, and put away. Ask yourself, Are you Carrying Dead Weight? 

I had another post today, but I will preempt it with an urgent plea from my friend Shaun King and the Courageous Church – Please Read Below

This week in Atlanta has been ENORMOUSLY tough for a young family with a preemie baby clinging to life.

• They live 40 miles away from the hospital and the icy roads have made it nearly impossible to get to and from the hospital
• Mom is not-working so she can care for the baby and her young son. Of course the United States doesn’t believe in paid maternity leave.
• Dad does construction work and the jobs have been all but shut down because of the weather

These factors and more have thrown this young family into a tailspin and they are now hours away from being homeless.  They have little food.  All of the bills are due.  They don’t have any supplies for the baby if he is able to come home.  In essence, they need it all.

Reserve judgment and let’s be a blessing!

• Can you offer the dad any construction work?
• Can you pay their rent? They have some of it and we could arrange for you to pay the landlord directly?  This is very urgent.  The amount is below.
  
• Can you help with utilities?  We can arrange for you to pay them directly. The amounts are below.  This is very urgent.
• Can you help with food?  Gift cards to grocery stores would suffice?
• Can you help with supplies for the preemie baby? For their other young son?  I will post a list and details below.
• Would you pray for baby Gavin and the family?  He’s hanging in there and is @ Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (my favorite hospital) receiving around the clock care.
• If you are a social worker or specialize in helping this type of family, email me @ shaunking@courageous.tv

Feel free to leave a comment here or email me directly @ shaunking@courageous.tv if you have questions.

Feel free to go bonkers on Amazon.com or wherever you like to order stuff and get a ton of the following items.  They told me they need…

POST WHAT YOU ORDER OR WHAT BILL YOU PAY IN THE COMMENTS SECTION SO WE DON’T OVER ORDER ANY 1 ITEM

Toilet paper
Shampoo
Conditioner
Tooth paste
Dish soap
Body soap
Laundry detergent
Bleach
Deodarant for women and men
Baby wipes (tons)
Pull ups (Size 5)
Clothes for a preemie boy
A nice, small bassinet that can go next to the bed that rocks or glides for the baby if he gets to come home

All items a new baby would need.

All items should be mailed to: Baby Gavin’s Family: 639 Falling Leaf Drive, Lilburn GA 30047

—

The family needs an extra $500 for the rent
The water bill is $85 - paid!!!
The gas bill is past due and is $350
The power bill is $125 – paid!!!

Will you please assist – I along with the church will be joining in this opportunity to show God’s Love to others. This my Friends is Real Church in Action

J. Richard Byrd

The Experience Charlotte

Originally posted 2011-01-14 09:15:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Several years ago I came across a book called Choose to Cheat, by Andy Stanley.  In this book Andy, goes on to describe that at any given time you are making decisions that pit you against your work or your family. Andy says that when you put your job first you are cheating your family and when you put your family first, you cheat your job. This issue is that regardless of what you do, You have chosen to cheat. Some thing is going to be cheated. The issue is what do you choose.

Cheating requires some hard choices. Changes in my job. Downsizing my lifestyle. It required sacrifices. I also had to change the expectation of my clients. I had to give away my Blackberry, set-up actual business hours and not take calls after a certain time. This perhaps was one of the hardest things to do. But the benefits have been marvelous. For the first time in a long time, I can breathe. I didn’t realize that I had been holding my breath climbing a success ladder. My bonding with my family grew. I got to share the last high school years with my boyz pouring into them. And Frankly being loved on by them.

Life with my wife has improved immensely. Have you ever stopped and taken a look at someone that you have known for years and think I don’t know them at all. We have been able to spend quality time together and really get to know each other at a whole different level. My decision then became very simple. At the end of the day did I want financial success and a messed up home life, or did I want a healthy family. I chose Family. — I Chose to Cheat. 

Tell me Your story – Have you ever Chose to Cheat.

Originally posted 2012-01-19 07:18:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

courtesy of dress for succc Press Release New Opportunity Mentoring Program announces a “Dress for Success” clothing drive! Charlotte, NC October 7, 2011 – October 22, 2011: October is National Mentor Month so join us as we shine a light on the importance of Mentoring while helping young parents overcome a huge hurdle! New Opportunity Mentoring Program will host a “Dress for Success” clothing drive to help provide professional clothing to young parents. Male and Female parents in the New Opportunity Mentoring Program and community will benefit from your contributions. Often, the first thing interviewers notice is your appearance. Most often, our young parents don’t have enough money to purchase professional attire that will help prepare them for success. Your tax deductible professional clothing, gift card, or monetary donation will help ensure that our young parents are prepared for the work force! New Opportunity Mentoring Program will collect your donations at the Beatties Ford Road branch library on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 11:00a-2:00p! We are also seeking donation collectors who are willing to collect donations from your workplace, school, church, neighborhood and/or family and friend from October 7-21, 2011! Group collected clothing can be dropped off on October 22, 2011 or you may schedule a pick up. What to do next: Go through your wardrobe and pick out those gently used or new professional suits, slacks, shirts, skirts, blouses, dresses, coats, accessories and/or shoes that you would like to donate! Simple drop off your donation on October 22, 2011 from 11a- 2p at the Beatties Ford Rd library or go on the New Opportunity website (www.newoppmentoring.org) and register to be a donation collector! The Beatties Ford Rd library is located at 2412 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte NC 28216. Collectors and/or groups represented will be acknowledged and the site with the most donations will be recognized and rewarded with a token of appreciation! LETS USE YOUR COMPETITIVE SIDE TO BENEFIT ANOTHER!

Originally posted 2011-10-13 09:24:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Can I be transparent with you. This morning I almost gave up and quit planting this church. I am sure many of you have been in the same position in life on many occasions. I mean, donations and finances haven’t been going well. Attendance has been minimal. The attacks on my company and family have been excruciating to say the least. So i found myself in a position of absolute desperation and depression.

Strategy over Spirit Sucks

If God has declared it, you don’t have to pray about it. Just do it! ( going to preach that one day)

If you can accomplish your Vision without God’s provision, He may not be in the mix.

Listen to God and Do What He Says

God never calls us to do things that are easy.

God Never Called You to Play It Safe.

“Get out of the way and let God Do what He wants to do. (here is the key point) 

You Just Agree.”

Originally posted 2011-07-09 09:22:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former finance minister of Nigeria, sums up four days of intense discussion on aid versus trade on the closing day of TEDGlobal 2007, and shares a personal story explaining her own commitment to this cause.

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htpp://www.macyourministry.com

Originally posted 2011-01-24 10:04:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Last Night, I had a restless night. Well more like an apprehensive night. I could feel the move of God but having trouble following him. You know that feeling like you can hear someone calling you, but you can’t make out what they are saying. That is what I felt last night into the wee early hours of the morning. I knew some was going to happen. I anticipated it. Have you ever been there? I received a call from one of my closest friends and clients. He had a word from the Lord. It was simple. -

“Today is the day of Divine Favor, Grace, and Opportunities for the Saints of God… Walk in it!!! #11-1-11″

Simple. To the Point. But earth shattering. Today is All Saints Day. The day after the occult in some places have designated as the day to pay homage to the spirits of darkness. A night of ghouls, ghosts, witches and such. Pain and suffering. But on this day. This day in particular – God is ordaining a day of grace, favor and opportunity. It is just not the start of a new month – but also the start of a new phase of your life and walk with God.

This message confirmed so much I was feeling and sensing in my Spirit. I thank God for this revelation.

What Can You Do?

1. So today join me in a word of prayer and thanksgiving- Join me tonight at 11:00pm as we go to the Lord in prayer. 858.707.3766 – passcode 2692#

2. Host a prayer service (online – offline ) Do it today -

3. Send this out to all of your networks – text it – call it – pass it along – “Today is the day of Divine Favor, Grace, and Opportunities for the Saints of God… Walk in it!!! #11-1-11″

I will be praying for you.

J. Richard Byrd

Originally posted 2011-11-01 13:30:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Today I am spending some time creating organizational values. Essentially, what is it that my organization values. So many times in an organization there is what we call an undercover culture. A culture that has developed but does not really align itself with the values of the organization. This usually happens because the leader has not taken time to really define the values of the organization. Although it seems daunting the process is simple.  Here is how I do it.

1. Grab a White Board.

2. Sit with my team – and ask these questions. What is most important to you for this company? What are your “not going theres” ? what do you admire most about the work we do?  What do you want our clientele to take away from this organization?  What do you want employees to take away from this organization?

3. Write everything down – It is important that you record all the ideas.

After following this process, I will let the suggestions sit on the board for a few days. This allows it to really get deep in the psyche. I then sit with the suggestions and craft a values statement. Once we agree it becomes the Organizational Values. Now this process works for me and the companies/ministries I have consulted. Do you have Organizational Values? How do you set-up your Organizational Values?

Originally posted 2012-01-18 09:25:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Anil Gupta is on the hunt for the developing world’s unsung inventors — indigenous entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, hidden by poverty, could change many people’s lives. He shows how the Honey Bee Network helps them build the connections they need — and gain the recognition they deserve.

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htpp://www.macyourministry.com

Originally posted 2011-03-03 10:37:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter