My buddy, Brian, has recently turned me onto these Nooma videos by a pastor named Rob Bell. Rob preaches at a church called Mars Hill up north, and I’m really digging these video shorts he’s created.

The below video is titled “Today”. I love the questions Rob asks, and the pictures he paints.

“If you need to celebrate how good it was, then celebrate. …then do it. But then, move on. There is a certain kind of despair that sets in when we believe that things were better back then, when we’re stuck back there, when we’re not fully present. When we’re still holding on to how things were, our arms aren’t free to embrace today.“

“Is Jesus saying to you right now about anything, about anybody, about anytime, ‘Let go, and receive a new spirit!’? So you may accept the past for what it is. May you celebrate what needs to be celebrated. And grieve what needs to be grieved. And then may you receive from God a new spirit. One for HERE, NOW, TODAY.”

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It’s been a tough year for our family. I won’t detail all of it, but the Lord knows the waters we have been wading through.

I came home this week to spend some time with my family – specifically my parents, my grandfather, and my brother Matt. Indirectly, my birthday happens to be today. I’m usually not big on birthdays, so being away from friends and being home was no big thing. But, I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to receive countless amounts of emails from friends and family. It’s been a welcome change.

But, in all the hoopla about birthdays, today I celebrate my parents.

To my father:
The man who epitomizes strength of character, strength of will, determination, hard work, sacrifice, endurance, and devotion.

To my mother:
For all her never ending love, caring words, bottomless well of energy, ingenuity, business savvy, making the impossible possible, and good heart.

I am forever thankful for the two of them immensely. Two loving parents who raised five sons in the way of the Lord. Two loving parents who never wavered no matter how much stress us sons have put on them, or what troubles we drug them through. My parents are the anchors that have kept us rooted in home, family, love, unconditional love, and faith, all the while trying their best to live their lives as examples we can pattern ourselves after. They have instilled in us words of truth that will never be forgotten. And by their dedication to us, they have provided us shelter, safety, and kindness at our times of need.

Our lives are in no way perfect. But, through our trials comes joy. And today, I celebrate them both. Mom and Dad, I love you both.

They treat their kids like royalty. But, little do they know we consider them saints!

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Many of you already know that two weeks ago my grandmother, affectionately known as “Momma Lew”, passed away and is now at home with our Lord. As sad as it was for us, her going home was a bit of a joyous occasion. She was no longer in pain, and the love that she shared with us all will always live on with us.

On a few occasions, I tend to write hokey poems. As I said at her memorial, I get older but my poems stay the same age. This poem is dedicated to my bubbly, always happy grandmother, Momma Lew.

My Grandmother

My grandmother was famous for her cooking
She was famous for her charm
She’d bake you up some brownies
And she let you run into her arms

My grandmother could play the piano
And she could run a tight ship
On holiday’s she’d have us all sing carols
And read scripture from the Bible, all without any lip.

My grandmother loved fishing
She loved to be outside
She taught me how to hook a worm
And she taught me to appreciate the sunshine

My grandmother could tell a story
All real and good ones too
She’d tell you about treasures and ghosts
And talk about pirates who’d appear out of the blue

My grandmother lived the life
A wife, a mother, and grand kids
She loved her family with all her heart
But her true feelings she never hid.

I’ve always loved my grandmother
It seemed like she was always there
Birthdays, proms, and graduations
One person, with a smile, who seemed to be everywhere

If there’s one thing I’d want you to know about my grandmother
It’s that she was always the happiest person in the room
Her giggly spirit, her loving laughs, and honest wit
Would always brighten the darkest room

Now my grandmother’s in heaven
Dancing with family all that she can
She loved life, she loved her family
But mostly, she loved her man!

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During last year’s Hollywood union strike, the former writer/producer/director of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” TV series, along with many other shows, got to work.

While the studios were out of work, he employed his own creativity and a few well known actors and created this GENIUS piece of work. I can’t wait for the next episode.

And BTW, has Neil Patrick Harris made a come-back, or what!?!

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