J Richard Byrd – Yes I'm Crazy

Author Archive

Over the last 21 days I have participated in the Daniel Fast with my new church family Shiloh Family Worship Center. This i my second year participating, but this one was a very different. Not in the restrictions, but the results, both natural and physical.

Spiritual

Spiritually it was a great adventure. I am more focused, more in love with Jesus. My fears and cares have been wiped away. I find myself able to handle everyday stress so much better. In other words although trouble still abounds, I have PEACE.

Physical

The physical results have been out of this world. Not only have I lost 22lbs, but it is my tastes for food has transformed. I am no longer consumed by meat or better yet consumed with eating. I told a few friends the story of going into the chinese buffet and the vegetables and fruits looked more appealing than the meat. Now many of you know I am a true carnivore. Vegetables and Fruits are definetely small side dishes that go around the meat. But no longer, I look forward to those dishes. That has been the best change.

Going Forward

I really like this new way of eating, I like the spiritual connection. I will continue to make the principles of the Daniel Fast a part of my daily living. For those who want more information on what it is here is a website that explains the fast.   I am also including a link to the specific fast guidelines I used. I pray you have the spiritual and physical success I had. Daniel Fast Guidelines  – Feel free to add your own list of prayers on the front page. I pray you have the spiritual and physical success I had. Share below -

 

J. Richard Byrd

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.

As a young boy, I often had to take tests. These tests were a determination as to whether I was fit to move on to the next assignment. Invariability the test would prove whether I had learned the lesson(s) properly.

There is also another type of test used in manufacturing. In this test a piece of metal or equipment is tested to see if it can withstand the pressure. Can it withstand the weight. Can the object just withstand. In life we are tested in the same way.

1. Did you learn the lessons taught.

2. Are you adequately prepared for the next level.

3. Can you stand the pressure and weight.

Elevation and success requires that you pass all three tests. You have to have all three in place to make. So my question to you today. Is Can You Stand the Test?

 

Kiran Bir Sethi shows how her groundbreaking Riverside School in India teaches kids life’s most valuable lesson: “I can.” Watch her students take local issues into their own hands, lead other young people, even educate their parents.

At age 14, in poverty and famine, a Malawian boy built a windmill to power his family’s home. Now at 22, William Kamkwamba, who speaks at TED, here, for the second time, shares in his own words the moving tale of invention that changed his life.

Jose Antonio Abreu is the charismatic founder of a youth orchestra system that has transformed thousands of kids’ lives in Venezuela. Here he shares his amazing story and unveils a TED Prize wish that could have a big impact in the US and beyond.

How can we begin to understand the way the brain works? The same way we begin to understand a city: by making a map. In this visually stunning talk, Allan Jones shows how his team is mapping which genes are turned on in each tiny region, and how it all connects up.

Image-maker Alexander Tsiaras shares a powerful medical visualization, showing human development from conception to birth and beyond. (Some graphic images.)

Pioneering surgeon Susan Lim performed the first liver transplant in Asia. But a moral concern with transplants (where do donor livers come from …) led her to look further, and to ask: Could we be transplanting cells, not whole organs? At the INK Conference, she talks through her new research, discovering healing cells in some surprising places.

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