Don't Take It For Granted

In the past few months, I have experienced or been around people who have experienced a lot of loss in their lives. Maybe it's my age, but I am more and more aware of how precious life is and how we take it for granted most of the time.

To those reading and especially the youth at College Hill. I know alot of times school (life) is a drag, hard, messy, crappy, fun, exciting, crazy and loving. Take it all in, enjoy every moment. Without the hard times in life, it would be easy for us to take the good times for granted. Learn from all of it. My friend Celia Whitler wrote a note the other day, and I loved what she had to say.

"What is it about life that makes us tear up? Maybe it's just life. I have cried over loss, joy, fear, embarrassment, anger, all of them, at once, at times and I think it's part of living. Sometimes the sun shines on a rainy day. There are those moments when all is well and those when we forgot a second ago all was well. When I cry over the death of my dad or my friend Kathleen, I am thankful for those tears and memories. I picture myself, long after my death, being remembered by someone who loved me. I hope they might be laughing over something we did together or something they witnessed and before they know it, tears are mixed with joy. That's when you know you've loved and been loved."

I love her thoughts. So, here's my challenge to you for today. Remember to love hard, love long, love with every part of your soul and that love will be returned to you time and time again.

Have a great day and I can't wait until our paths cross. Soon I hope. Blessings, bri

p.s. Youth, do your homework!

Here We Go

Ok, well I've tried blogging before and I'm real good at the start, but then fade down the stretch, so I'm going to try again and keep this going. Let's hope the horse is a distance runner this time. :-) To the youth at College Hill, you make my day. Ups, downs, laughter, tears, whatever is going on in our lives you are all a great part of my life and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I found this great video this week that I'm going to be using at our first youth worship and I'm very excited about it, I hope that you will be there. It talks about your generation and some of the apathy (strange word, look it up) that people have experienced. It's going to be so cool. Be there on September 27th as we start this new ministry.

Well, I think that's it for the moment. I'll write more later. I promise!!!
Blessings, brian