Happy Mother's Day

Mom, 

I tell you that I love you every single day. And although this may be another day to recognize your exceptionalism in everything that you do, I want you to know that for me it is just one extra opportunity to tell you...

You are the smartest woman I know.

You are equally the most hilarious person I will ever meet. 

You are the only person I talk to every single day.

You are the most selfless person there ever will be, besides Jesus. 

I have to make myself remember at times the things you enjoy doing because,

You tell me that almost all of those things include just being with our family. 

I have learned more from you than any other person on this planet. 

How to love.

How to laugh.

How to cry.

How to smile. 

How to believe.

How to listen.

How to speak.

How to pray.

How to understand.

How to forgive.

How to forget. 

How to give.

How to have faith.

How to be thankful.

How to be selfless.

How to be humble.

So many things, all which you have taught me. I remember so many nights, so many late late nights. I would come home, call home, Skype home, be at home... and you, you would have time for me. In the tears, and in the excitement. When I was lonely and when I had a backyard full of friends. In my confusion and in my rejoicing. In my moments of immaturity, but most importantly, in my moments of becoming a man. 

You have stood by my side. From an inch, a foot, a mile, a state, and a country away. You are so many things to me mom, and so many words that I just don't know how to say. 

Unfortunately, this is going on three years that I haven't been able to be there by your side, to hug you, to laugh with you, to cry with you... but meanwhile, in being unable to do those things, I want you to understand...

That I love you.

I understand. 

I will be here for you until the end of time.

I will stand by you no matter the distance. 

I will cherish you for all of eternity. 

In the end I just feel selfish, only wishing that the rest of the world could share in the same joy I have from knowing you. 

I love you, mom. 

Happy Mother's Day. 

A VIDEO JUST FOR YOU.

Blessings,

Luke

A poem... or whatever.

Growing up my mom always taught me to raise my voice.

To have a voice.

To be a voice. 

My dad taught me equally the importance of silence.

It's the words you don't say, not the words you do. 

A whisper. Wisdom. 

I guess I've always found a little foundation in both sides. 

I was raised Republican. 

Yes. Elephants. Morals. The whole 10 yards... with picketed fences, of course. 

Family, time for Jesus, and some of grandma's apple pies. 

Curious, I was. 

So intrigued not by what was, but what wasn't.

Not by what was being said, but what was silent. 

In all 65 church pews I never found a single voice crying out... I'm different!

Struggle. That's what I'll call it. 

I found such life in who I was, but found myself dabbling in other things.

Peru. Israel.

Culture Shock.

In the end, love. 

People telling me every which way to be. 

Silence... or Voice?

By that time, my words were silent, but my actions echoed louder still. 

A purpose.

Los Angeles, I cannot believe the city of angels is so...

different. 

Look left, I'm wrong. Look left, it's right. 

So many colors.

Opinions.

Words. 

Noise. 

I stay in the quiet just to find my place.

I stay in the quiet and they yell that I am LAZY. 

Silence does not work.

I raise my voice to be heard and..

SLAM!

Son you better think again, you racist pig

They tell me.  

Learn a language to speak to my best. friend's. family.

I guess I didn't learn enough words. 

Every voice.

You are not Christian, in LA you are cultured.

I look around and see so many faces, yet none of them smile. 

I don't remember that abroad. 

I cannot breath.

At times. 

OPEN YOUR MIND. 

I open it further. 

Widen your horizons. 

All I see are buildings, I say. 

You must leave the farm.

WE are the people.

We are the democrats of America.

The land of the free...

HOLD IT.

I am not.

Creationism.

Laughs heard from every corner, every alley. 

Friends. Gone.

I guess not so free. 

You must believe to achieve. 

But there's no room for Jesus in this city. 

Buddha is welcome, he's skinnier.

No room. No time. 

Think differently.

Science. Silence.

You have to change your perspective. 

Become like us. 

Become unique. 

A robot I will not be. 

I am stupid?

We are the most welcoming people in the world...

We welcome students into our mindset. 

Refusal = Rejection.

Oppression in the 21 Century. 

And you say that YOU are the one discriminated. 

Yes. 

I will put up with your laws.

You're hatred of the patriarchy.

Your belief that you simply...

KNOW EVERYTHING.

Farms are underprivileged.

My dad is a farmer because he couldn't learn anything else. 

Your dad, like, oh my gosh...

Not rich, privileged.

It sounds better.

AKA not so Republican. 

You silence my music,

My art, 

My God,

My parents, 

My heart,

My voice.

You silence me. 

But my silence disturbs you.

Jabs. Knifes. Glares.

All the same. 

Voice or silence?

Quit it, think on your own.

Parents are meant for their money anyways.

I open a door for you.

You cuss in my face.

I tell you that you look nice.

You cuss in my face.

I tell you I understand.

You cuss in my face and state, NO YOU DON'T.

Because I am a Republican.

Because I am Christian.

Because you KNOW EVERYTHING.

I say hello, you say goodbye. 

My tears are not enough to make you turn your head.

I eat my food alone, 

Because you are too busy having intimate relations with the opposite sex, the same sex, a dog...

And I listen.

I listen.

I listen.

Bang.

Bang. 

Bang.

Why can you be so loud, and I have to remain so silent.

Cover my mouth with a muzzle.

Because I am a dog and a dog is me, evidently.

If I scream, you will not listen.

If I talk, you will not listen.

If I whisper, you will not listen.

And if I am silent, you are happier.

You will never get to know me. 

I am racist, sexist, patriarchal, or just too optimistic.

One or the other.

You HATE all of those things.

You HATE me. 

Such a welcoming city, you're right. 

I think I will stay. 

I'll stay. 

Because you aren't winning.

And in the end, 

If it's evolution, you die.

If God is real, then...

Well, you're still trying to duck tape that mouth shut.

But I love you.

I love you.

And I will wait here, until you are ready to get to know me.

Not for what others say about me, but for who I actually am. 

For my voice.

the power of the cross.

greetings,

for those of you still out there, I'm writing from the diversified corners of this sleepless city, Los Angeles. A city breeding with busy bodies, rampant liers, angered drivers, and actors that never seem to give enough of themselves. when I was told that the city had a life of it's own, I originally didn't believe it.

It has been 6 months of struggle, 6 months of misunderstandings, 6 months of diving into the depths of my brain, into the depths of my soul, but mainly, into prayer, seeking desperately for the Lord's will in my life... because I have honestly not a care in the world as to what my desires are in this world.

I have but one desire, to know Christ.

But too often my one desire to know Christ butts heads with one of my biggest fallbacks - approval of man. I've never been one to fall into peer pressure, I've never struggled with many things that some that I know fall to based on sheer desire to be popular. But the thing that haunts me every day, is the frightening thought that the path that I am choosing is more influenced by the world's desire for my life, than Gods.

What a tremendously horrifying concept. What if I am walking comfortably into the grave, instead of fighting bravely for the One who gave His all for me. I have got to stop basing success upon if those around me agree with what I have done. If my one desire is Him, then He is all that should matter, no?

This crazy city has taught me one of the most important life lessons...

That if you don't prioritize God, no one else is going to for you.

Such a simple concept that I am sure is humorous to you. But a minute, an hour, and a day pass by in the blink of an eye, and at the end of your life, it was only YOU who chose how to spend your time. What a struggle, continually trying to see myself as seated in the heavenlies alongside the Father. This city is so good at making so many things seem so important.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

Wherever you are, examine your situation... because it took me 6 months to figure out that I was truly trying to keep up with a pack that I was never meant to run with in the first place. I'm not meant to be a workaholic. I'm not meant for the paycheck at the end of the week. I'm not meant for the relationships I make and how they can benefit me. I'm not meant to know everything. I'm not meant to make everyone happy.

I am meant for ONE. SINGLE. PURPOSE.

To live for HIM. For it is no longer I that live, but HE THAT LIVE THROUGH ME!

How freeing. How beautiful. My purpose here was fulfilled the moment Christ died on the cross. I have nothing more of this world to defeat, to accomplish, to take down. I am free of expectation, free from guilt, free to live and breath the same Spirit into this world that Christ breathed into me.

That is what I am meant for.

And in that I find my identity. I find my identity. I find my identity. WHAT A GIFT! Do you know how many people walk around confused about who they are?

I just watched 30 film students declare their identity-crisis that they are going through. But to know who you are, what a gift no.

Every morning, I can claim Christ. Every morning, I can have reason behind EVERY SINGLE THING that I do. I can have purpose. I am so happy for what Christ has done for us, and so excited to learn even that much more.

In end, I ask you to pray for me, as I pray for you. That the deceitful ways of this world would be held back. That we would not be tricked into chasing for years after things that do not matter. That we would not waste another tear over loneliness, over not knowing who you are.

If you are a child of God, YOU have an identity. Now, in everything you do, go out and claim that. Claim your freedom, because that is exactly what you are... free.

Thank you Lord.

Blessings,

Luke Grigg

We WON!

I'm sure you've already seen this. I'm really only putting it on here so I can think back one day and know exactly where to find this video lost in the craziness of cyberspace.



I don't know how we really did it, considering the fact that we all are way overloaded with too many credits this year. But by Gods grace we were able to put out this video, and by an even greater grace he allowed the video to win. ;-) Such a great experience. I have some pretty talented friends. ;-)



Blessings,



Luke Grigg

I'll Love You Forever - My First Film

Written, Directed, & Produced by: Luke Grigg

My first student film. Given 2 1/2 hours to film on a school day, this is what we were able to pull together. It's a sentimental film about a father learning how to love his child with down syndrome.

I really enjoyed this project and can't wait to be able to do it again. We were graded on our direction of the actors, not necessarily the camerawork, lighting, etc. Hope you like it!

Let me know what you think!

Blessings,

Luke Grigg

#blessed

The further I get in to this program the more humbled I become at what God is doing. It is almost comical the games that are being played here in this university. Corruption runs rampant throughout this university, throughout this town. It is a continual prayer of mine that God would guard me from even an ounce of that attitude finding its way into my being. And the funniest thing in the end of the day is that I continue to stand from afar, aghast by the occurrences within LA county, but somehow God has broken my heart for this city, for these students. But then I look around (figuratively) and realize that this spirit, this sadness that overpowers this city… is the reality of the world we live in today.

It is only in places such as Los Angeles that the prevalence of such issues is seen first hand. People are upfront with their beliefs, their personalities, their wants… In a way it seems better than the oppression that you would see, let's say, in a small town such as Quincy, my hometown. Here in LA, I can find people instantly to wrestle with me. Be it those in opposition or those supporting me. The push for knowledge… The desire for understanding is manifested in so many ways in this city, it is sometimes overwhelming.

But, just as in Israel, in the end of the day everything turns comical again. Because in the end of the day, whether my beliefs have been thrown in my face, whether God has given me counsel through another believer, or whether it is just another "one of those days," I can end my day clinging to the pillar of Christ, to the God of Abraham. So many thoughts have gone through my head these past years. Living in different countries, meeting so many people, experiencing so many different faiths. But this image of Christ I relate to so much as in this particular type of camera movement we are learning in class. It is a type of pan (left to right movement) of the camera where, with a certain type of lens, when a character is moving at the same speed as the camera movement, everything in the background blurs together while the character remains clear.

This is how I see Christ at this point in my life. Every single thing in my life is blurry right now. Every person I talk to gives me some type of different doctrine to believe in, some different outlook on why we are here, or altogether rebukes what I believe. And you know, I feel no hatred towards God. I feel no anger. I have friends who tell me, "God is not a God of confusion and you are confused."

I struggled with this for a while. I struggled with the fact that SO MANY of my questions are still unanswered, after years of seeking and praying. But, in the end… is it really the answers to these questions that matter? Truly?

It was many phone calls to my parents, and nights of sitting out in the backyard, on the beach, in my car yelling at God, crying out for Him to answer. I needed those answers. Or so I thought. The more I study, from Christians and non-christians alike, the more I realize that both sides are equally going to have as much countless information to present to you.

It was then that this "confusion" that I was amongst was not a question of my faith at all. It wasn't a question of whether God was still staying true to His word, to providing clear answers. You see, God is perfectly clear. I have all the answers that I need, my salvation through Christ Jesus. That may sound cliche… but I tell you that it is not. Let me explain.

In my life, I can prove, I know, that I am a human being created with a need. I was created with an inclination towards sin. Christ ultimately filling in the imperfections, the sin, so that I would not have to pay such a price.

You can debate for years on whether the Bible is historically accurate, how God's sovereign power works with the free will that we are give, whether or not the laws of the sabbath should be kept to this day or not… and most likely, you will be overwhelmed by the information thrown at you. However, because God calls us to Faith and not works, to wisdom and not necessarily intellect… our core question that we just have to answer for ourselves is very simple. Do we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to save the souls of mankind? Do we believe that we are not self-sufficient. That we are lacking?

Historically, Christ has obviously been proven to have been a real person. If you would like more info on extra-canonical (outside of the Bible) sources I would be more than happy to reference a few for you to see yourself. So, Christ was on this planet. Was he the Messiah? Now that my friend, is where we are at. For me, God says that if you seek Truth you will find it. I BELIEVE THAT. And I hope you do too. I don't know how to tell you this but I want you to be able to be solid in that truth. If nothing else, you must be solid in this question. We must be solid.

And this, I guess, is the intention of this post. Me, just a crazy college student pulling his hair out every single day not about homework, or stress, or even what I am to eat/wear. I am just a kid trying to find answers to so many of these questions that so few people know the answers to.

Except for this one. And that is why, at the end of the day, I just laugh. I know, from historical documents in combination with the very nature of the being that I am that Christ is my Savior. And as is said in an incredible quote in one of my favorite movies….

“I shall die here. Every last inch of me shall perish. Except one. An inch. It's small and it's fragile and it's the only thing in the world worth having. we must never lose it, or sell it, or give it away. We must never let them take it from us.” 
― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta

That inch is Christ. He is the one inch in this world that I have. He is worth holding on to. I will be thrown up against more conflict, more questions, more debates throughout my entire life. God has made that already evident through the many professors, rabbis, and agnostics that he has surrounded me with. But I will not give up that inch. And I hope, with prayer and continual focus on that inch, the Lord, that you would see Him clearly. When everything else in the world seems to be unclear, when your heart seems to be going in a million directions. When you feel like one more breath is the only energy you have left in you. I pray that you, and I, would focus on that, to walk in line with Christ so that he does not become another one of those blurry images passing you by.

Remember.

We are blessed. Because, although it is only one inch, although it may seem like nothing in the world… that one inch is what means everything in the world. And if you hold on to it, nothing else matters.

I now look at questions not as a threat, because there is nothing that they can do to my heart, my pillar in Christ. I will study, I will seek, and I will continue to pursue Truth. It is then that these questions that still squander in my head no longer have significance towards my faith, or my life, but toward the fact that I will "never let them take it from us." I want to pass on knowledge of Christ that was long fought for. I want to be able not to debate, but to be able to present a side of religion worthy of a "scholar" taking a second look.

I firstly desire for the salvation of the entire world. A salvation that is rooted. That is knowledgeable in who and what they are seeking after.

The second thing I desire is that we would come back continually to these hard questions. That we would continually seek the Truth that God has written in His Word but ALSO on our hearts and within nature.

I am praying for you, whoever you are, that your journey towards knowledge would be solidly grounded upon a faith that cannot quiver.



Blessings from California,

Luke Grigg

Gosh.

Blessings,

Luke