Angela McCarthy

To my dearest Deacon of the most holy Profit who sitteth in the office of the most high Bishop and serves as the one and only Reverend Brandon Berry…

With an introduction like that…need I say more? LOL! Well Happy 30th birthday brother Berry! I was so excited to hear about you reaching this milestone especially because of the timing.  They say that the significance of turning 30 is that, the age of 30 is a moment of truth when certain realities of life firmly take hold. And, additionally, you attain a certain level of knowledge that will aid you in your endeavors for many, many years to come.  Concerning the latter, I believe that YOU may have attained that kind of knowledge around age 10! (smile).   But seriously, age 30 is an age of reflection, of resolve and of the realization that many of your hopes and dreams are becoming tangible realities.  Awwww…so exciting because we all can see that happening for you, right before our eyes!   

When offered the opportunity to write a letter to you for this celebration of life, I knew I couldn’t do so without reflecting on the times we’ve shared and what caused our lives to intersect, initially.  I remember the first time we met and the crazy electricity generated due to a common interest in seeing so much more than what was provided for the young people of Redemption, at the time.  I thought we might take over the world that day or at least we could conceptualize doing so! HA! It was a difficult yet great ride, for the time it lasted, serving as your right hand.  I still thank God for the opportunity to have met someone like you.  Obviously, you are very different than many and as God calls us to do, you definitely stand out and stand APART. Praise the Lord that there are still people who do so!  I’m not so sure you know, however, that I’ve learned a lot from just watching you and listening and observing your life.   I caught a glimpse of a young man who insanely loves his wife and children, as Christ loves the church, and is just as passionate about his convictions concerning who Christ is and living holy and just before Him on a daily basis!  If I were ever to share anything with you…don’t ever lose that! Be INTENSE in your efforts to maintain that as a part of your very fabric, forever!

Well, enough of the mushy stuff!  I’m sure you know that you have forged a place in my heart forever! You have the ability to frustrate me (and many I’m sure – hee hee) into a place where helping you is often the ONLY option which in turn has always pushed me to a place of great output and productivity.  For that, I would say thank you (I think? Lol).  My prayer for you from this point going forward is to keep DYING to yourself and living only for Him! I’ve heard it said this way don’t live a life bordering on a God-consciousness but totally ABANDON consciousness and let God inhabit you fully so that He may be the only thing that flows from within. 

Happy Birthday Pastor Brandon, I know that you will continue to let your light so shine before men!!

TAKEOVER!

With love and in Faith,

Angela