I DON'T FEEL TARDY!

A few of my second-year Bible College textbooks.
I don't know how that Kiss book got in there.
I guess old habits are hard to break.

In my latest book, C'MON! - My Story of Rock, Ruin and Revelation,

I account for years of poor

personal life choices. In short, 

I was so consumed by the blind

rock and roll ambition of my

younger days that I neglected

to formulate  any type of back-up plan. Long story short, I never

did land that big record deal. Furthermore, future professional endeavors also failed to pan out.

So there I was, in my forties,

now pursuing a writing career

with no other education beyond

my half-hearted high school experience almost thirty

years earlier. 

___________________________

But in 2011 I found myself inspired by my teenage son Jesse who was preparing to graduate high school with honors  while simultaneously  working towards  his AA degree  thanks to an early admissions program. Yikes, I was being totally shown up by my own kid.



When Michelle speaks,
I listen – and obey.

Following my spiritual awakening in 2010, I became on fire for Jesus. I merely wanted to seek, honor and serve Him – completely. I remember attending  church service with my girlfriend Michelle one Sunday morning at East Coast Christian Center in Merritt Island, Florida.  During the introduction there was  a  video clip shown  pertaining to the upcoming commencement of the new school year at the church's Bible College – East Coast Christian University. Providing ever-faithful and constant support throughout my spiritual journey, Michelle elbowed me hard enough to crack a rib, and in her uniquely loving  way, she "encouraged"  me to enroll. I discovered early in our relationship that typically it is in my best interest to adhere to Michelle's "recommendations." And at forty-eight, I finally was beginning my college experience.

Although it will take several years of hard work and dedication to achieve, my ultimate goal is to earn a Doctorate in Theology. In May 2012 I completed my first year and received a diploma in Theology from ECCU. I still have a long way to go, but you can only eat an 8,000 pound elephant one bite at a time. And in August 2012 I returned to class following summer break to begin year two. Next spring I will receive an AA degree.

My eighteen-year-old son Jesse cheered me on

when I received my college diploma in 2012.

For young people, the simple message is to make smart life choices – early. You don't screw the future – the future screws you, if you don't get it right. Having a dream is important. Dreams can come true – at age fifty, mine certainly is (finally). But having a back-up plan – focusing on school and life's "big picture" doesn't mean that you plan to fail, it just offers you a better way of life and more options while your dream is coming to fruition. For adults, let me say that it's NEVER too late to go back to school. Be sure, however, that it can be a challenge. I hadn't taken a classroom test since the Carter administration when I was handed that first college exam in 2011. Immediately it felt like high school all over again as my mind and the page both remained blank. But all in all, it has been one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life – even if I am the only "kid" in class still rockin' a Foghat T-shirt!

-Chris

Author Christopher Long's latest book,

C'MON! - My Story of Rock, Ruin and Revelation

is available NOW on Amazon.