Needing some Light...

My view on the way to work early one morning.

I was up an on the road before sunrise and, lemme' tell you, it was dark outside.

Sort of like this week.

See, last Thursday we heard that friends of ours had lost their 11 year-old daughter to cancer after a three-year battle. Niki and I felt like we'd been punched in the gut when we heard. Then, the very next day, we heard that other friends of ours (our pastors during our early twenties) had lost their 15 year-old son to cancer after an eleven month battle.

Oh man.

The memorial service for the little girl was yesterday and it nearly did the wife and I in. I think it's mostly because our own sense of loss at our brother-in-laws sudden death just short of two years ago is still very close to the surface in our hearts.

The truth is, we're not 'better' yet, and these two most recent deaths have made that abundantly clear.

We need the sunrise...

T

Partytime...

The wife and one of her besties, right before the start of her birthday dance party.

That's right.

We're pastors and we party. Hard.

What I find interesting about being 'that guy' is that I wouldn't be that guy if it wasn't for the influence of my wife.

It's true.

I used to be a fairly stuck up, legalistic, religious guy. I sometimes shudder when thinking about what my life would have ended up like if I'd married within my subculture instead of marrying my wife, a girl who came from the totally opposite side of the tracks, in terms of her faith-experience.

She's really helped me.

T

Make the moment...

That's my morning devotions spot these days.

Here's the pattern.

Drive the kids to school, turn right instead of left out of the school parking lot (left is the quickest way home) and roll on down to the water where I sit with my Bible and read one chapter in the Old Testament (working through Joshua right now) one chapter in the New Testament (Romans) and one chapter in Psalms or Proverbs (I'm in Proverbs right now).

Make notes as I go when something jumps out at me. Review the notes when I'm done and pray into what strikes me most about the moment, then unabashedly ask God to bless the work of my hands, help me to make a difference, and learn to love Him more.

20 minutes.

That's all it takes.

It's a good pattern.

But, here's the thing, it's a pattern that had to be made. I had to decide to make the time in my day, had to decide to make it happen, had to do a bunch of practical things (from getting my Bible before leaving the house, to making sure I had a pen, to turning my phone and radio off so I can focus) to make it happen, then had to just sit in the pattern--not giving up too soon--until that pattern became a habit.

They say it takes 6-8 weeks for a pattern to become a habit.

What's really cool is that these 'manufactured moments' (I am making them happen after all...) have been turning into 'real' moments with God. I'm getting a clear sense of direction and leading as I sit there listening, as well as actual encouragement to keep going.

From something I *made* happen.

Granted, I don't make the 'miraculous' part of it happen--God does that--but I make myself available.

Make the the moment.

Do it. This week.

T

Eyes open...

So that's the shot, straight out of my iPhone, no filter.

The sky was just on fire.

At least a couple times a week I'll be walking somewhere (the above shot was right as I was about to start football practice) and I happen to see something outstanding. I don't make it happen, I don't set it up, it's just there, waiting to be noticed.

I think most inspiration is like that.

It's already there, already in existence, it's just waiting to meet you along the road. Often we are tempted to sit around and wait for something amazing to jump up and grab us by the throat. I think, maybe, the beauty you're looking for is already out there, it's just that you're not, you're stuck in here.

So get a little busier. Who knows what you'll find out there in the rat race?

T

Pre-game...

I have a pre-game ritual.

(or in this case a pre-preach ritual)

I always leave the highlighting of my sermon notes until about a half-hour before I preach. I learned this trick in high-school. No, I wasn't preaching then (although almost) I was studying for final exams.

I would compile my notes (research), organize 'em (outlining), then read 'em over and over (out loud) before finally re-writing the key parts while reading 'em (equivalent to writing then highlighting) to myself, again, out loud.

It worked with Grade 12 English, it works with Galatians.

The other thing about it is the whole 'ritual' part. I learned the importance of ritual while playing University football. I'd go through the same routine before every game. Later, I took that habit to the final moments before going live on TV across the Nation.

Always do the same stuff.

So, today, I make sure to sit down after all my pre-service responsibilities have been taken care of and just spend some time with my notes, a couple highlighters and the Holy Spirit.

Usually the 'groove' I find in those final moments is the same one that ends up happening in Worship and is the same one I ride all the way into the preaching.

T

What a month...

Yeah, that's me these days.

It's been the wildest September I can remember.

In addition to shooting, I've begun teaching (Bible) at my kids new school (so that they can *go* to said school) and my wife has also begun teaching there, doing all their high performance fitness training. So, not only did our four kids have to adjust to a new school and schedule, Mom and Dad did. Not pretty for the first couple weeks but I think we're settled in now.

When the Vice Principal asked me how it was going (week two) I casually answered, "Well, I'm not hating it as much as I thought I would, so that's good..." She laughed, which was what I was going for.

In addition, both boys are in football and I'm head coaching my youngest boy's team. Wow, what an insane time commitment. I'm really enjoying it though. It's very challenging, which has given me a whole new level of respect for Pro-level coaches. I'm blessed to have two excellent assistant coaches working with me. Great dudes.

To add insult to injury we also picked September to move our church from the location we've been in for the last three years to an entirely new space. Let's just say the amount of work was staggering. We're now three weeks in and I think the move was the right call. Our last three consecutive weeks have been the biggest (back to back) in our history, so that's a good sign.

Flew to Philly to meet and greet and pitch, and also met with a publisher about a potential project (more on that as things develop) which I am currently working on.

Reading scripts, writing, starting up a new shell corporation to funnel all our work through.

Good times.

Hope your Fall is treating you well.

T

Oh boy, a month since last I wrote.

Not good.

Truth is, early in the month we were away a bit, which was really nice, and the second half of the month leading into this week has been madness.

Talk about 'back to reality'.

Dude.

Try this on for size...

How 'bout all four of your kids start school at a NEW school? Make it a private school. Now make it so that your wife and you are working (every day) at said school teaching Bible (me) and Fitness (her) so that you can *afford* to send said kids to said school. Add to that shooting 20 episodes of one of your television series and head coaching your youngest sons football team two nights a week while supporting your eldest son at his practice the other two key nights of the week. Oh, and don't forget moving your church to a new location along with all the technical/organizational shenanigans that go along with that. Lastly, make sure Friday has you flying to Philly for a day of pitch meetings and don't forget to prep all 23 of those pitches and get ready to write your sermon on the flight home 'cause Saturday (after your boys football game) you're going to be at the new location building in the tech side all day.

Plus, better preach your butt off Sunday, 'cause it matters.

Phew...

Some week right?

Two things.

One, the wife and I have been pretty stressed this week. This stress has gotten us questioning our life and calling as well as the practical ways in which we're walking that out. I keep reminding her to calm down and not judge her/our entire life based on one crazy week.

Two, when life gets busy (productively so) I tend to get encouraged because I've found that momentum tends to breed momentum and work breeds work. So I'm hoping that this busy run turns into a sustained new 'chapter' in our lives where we take the things we're doing to a whole other level.

Chances are your Fall is feeling a little like ours so, chances are, you should be feeling tired (just like me) and, maybe, just a little bit hopeful at the same time.

T

Some thoughts today...

I was working on financials today, which is my least favorite thing to do, and the thing I'm least gifted to do in terms of my working life.

So I made sure to watch some documentaries while I worked.

Here are some thoughts they shared that struck me, and which I thought might be helpful for you...

-Give them an idea they can't resist...

Big. Very helpful in terms of story development, and sermon-writing. Also helpful in terms of making sales pitches.

-Gifted advertisers are able to recognize what it is that turns people on...

Again, I like this very much. Both the idea that you can be 'gifted' to do something and the reality that turning someone on (whatever that means) is an absolute key to getting their attention and action.

-The TRUTH matters...

This is fantastic, freeing, and challenging all at once.

-Advertisers are trying to entertain society by using clients products...

They stressed that there is great value in entertaining someone. I like that. Am constantly seeking to apply that to each opportunity I have to speak to a group of people.

-We need to stop being careful...

We're told all our life to be careful, not to risk, to watch out. The sense from this doc was that it's only when we stop being careful and start routinely risking that we can achieve anything of significance. They also stressed how important it is to create a nurturing safe environment so that when you risk and get rejected you can find solace and healing so that you can up and risk again.

Great.

-The real risk is not in defying convention, but in trying to be authentic.

I really liked that. I get accused of being overly-sincere sometimes, but if getting labeled or called names is what comes from the quest for authenticity, so be it.

-A great product becomes the BADGE of a like-minded community.

Wow. So true. How can this be (appropriately) applied to a faith-community?

-There will always be somebody with a message...

True.

What's mine? How can I continue spreading it?

What's yours?

T

Episode 225...

Our last shot today.

Episode 225.

That's right...

two.hundred.and.twenty.five.

Pretty intense.

I was reflecting the other night with my wife that I'm doing things today that, ten years ago, I would've given my left, well, you know what, to be doing.

Today, they just seem routine.

225 episodes, yeah well, what's next?

And that's exactly how I feel; what's next? I think it's a good thing. I think it's generally positive to always be looking to the next thing, the next challenge, the next project. Especially in show-biz I've found that we have to be working years ahead conceptually to have any chance of being alive and producing years from now.

The show we completed episode 225 on today took my business partner a year and a half to set up. A key reason we got the deal was related to a series we produced four years ago and that series was one we landed because of work we did that got started in 1998.

Head of steam.

That's what this business seems to be about. Keeping at it long enough to build up a head of steam.

So keep at it. Whatever it is that you do, keep at it.

'Episode 225' here you come...

T

ps: for any and all 'boat related' posts from me in the future please visit LIFT Marine...

Rising...

I realize that my movie-loving friends will already be all over this. I also realize that many of my readers here are not industry types so there's a chance, only a chance mind you, that you've haven't yet seen the...

BEST trailer in years.

See you at the theater this weekend.

As usual, Christopher Nolan will equal parts thrill us and make us a little bit depressed about our lack of movie making awesomeness.

T

Reserved...

My wee daughters at 50 Point last week.

The beach you're looking at is reserved for 'boaters' ie: for those who braved the passage to said beach on their boats.

Interesting, you know, there are quite a few things in life that end up being 'reserved' for those who risk.

Not just beaches.

T

Sometimes...

You just gotta' go...

We were going to sail to Toronto, but the wind and waves were against us so, instead, we sailed to 50 Point. We'd heard it was a lovely spot, and man, was it ever.

On the way home the next day it was so freakin' hot that we just stopped the boat and jumped overboard. That's right, out in the middle the lake for a half hour swim.

Kids loved it.

The thing Niki and I really took away from the experience was how important it is to embrace life and 'just go'. We didn't overthink the decision to go, we were prepared, and then adapted to what the conditions dictated.

Sure, you can stay home 'cause you're not sure what life will give you if you head out, or you can get ready, go, and see what happens.

We're here to remind you that sometimes good things happen.

Like a mid-lake swim.

T

Time for thought...

Taken from the deck of our boat, motoring over to Toronto Island this past weekend. I took some of my guy friends on a bit of a sailing adventure.

I really love introducing people to the magic of sailing.

We were reflecting on how the SkyDome (pictured center frame above) used to *be* the skyline of Toronto but, in the past ten years, has all but disappeared behind the dozens of condos rising along the shores of downtown.

Toronto is changing.

Just like everything else.

Got me thinking about my life, wondering how it's changing. Of interest (at least to me) is that the wife and I are dealing with things changing in different ways depending on what's changing and what it's trying to change to.

Specifically, there are some changes in our life (kids getting older, jobs getting more entrenched, career changes looming, travel plans solidifying etc...) that can't be avoided. We're doing our best to embrace those and plan accordingly. There are other changes trying to force themselves into our life that we're actively resisting.

What changes do you need to embrace and help *make* happen, and what ones do you need to resist?

I think this is all related to our age and phase of life.

I realize this is an old story, but for us it's the first time we're dealing with it, so we're finding it a very interesting process and, in the midst of it, doing our best to find time to think.

T

Summertime...

Man, I dunno' what the weather's been doing where you live, but here? Dude, it's SUMMER!

We've really been enjoying record late-spring weather and embracing our second full 'warm season' in our house. I think we feel truly 'at home' now and are doing our best to really settle in and take care of the things that need taking care of with a house like ours.

Sarah (eldest daughter) beat us all out of bed a couple Sunday mornings ago. I found her in the living room, reading her book, enjoying her customary glass of morning chocolate milk.

Niki is working almost 3/4 time hours as a personal trainer these days so that means I'm at home most mornings getting the kids up, dressed, fed, and off to school. Last week I came down to the breakfast table and found the above drawing sitting on it. Turns out our youngest daughter and Mommy had been doing some artwork together the night before. Pretty sweet.

The famous pool. I feel like an alchemist, constantly working on the thing, doing my best to keep the water crystalline. We often comment that it must be a certain kind of person who likes a pool 'cause it's simply true that they're a lot of work. If you didn't love it, you wouldn't want to do it, that's for sure. Me, I treat cleaning and tending it as a meditative exercise, a chance to zone out and focus on one simple task.

Triathlon training is going well. I've trained MUCH harder for this one than I did the last time. I'll fill you in after race day for sure. My first race is next month then Niki will join me for one in August as, it's our hope, that her badly sprained left ankle will be healed enough to allow her to do the run by then. Our friend lent her a race bike to start training though and the above picture was taken on our first test ride together. She did really well. Surprised me actually with her confidence.

And, finally, yours truly on my two or three times a week 5.5km run. Figured I'd try to capture a shot for you and this was the best one of six or seven exposures I took.

All told our days are full and fulfilled lately.

Possible BIG news on the work front later this week with a couple potentially very significant deals pending. If either of them should close I'll be sure to mention it.

Hope your summer is shaping up well.

Peace,

T

The COST of joy...

It's been a busy couple weeks.

I've been toiling.

Now, I realize, doing some of the work I've been doing could be seen as 'play work' but it would only seem that way to those looking at it from the outside, not to those doing it.

(and I have been really busy writing and then presenting pitch after pitch after pitch this spring)

See, it's Spring around here and that means I have lots of prep work to do. Both at our house (pool, grounds, etc...) and with the boat.

First I had clean it out, check all the rigging, then sand all the woodwork, wash the hull, then wax it. 

This took two days. 

Step One...

Then 'Lift In' day came. This entailed getting to the yard, getting the engine (which I'd had overhauled) onto the boat along with the gas tanks, getting them connected, as well as making sure all the rigging was ready to go. I spent 6 hours at the yard on 'Lift In' day waiting for my turn.

Step Two...

Once the boat was in I had to to motor over to a guest dock to wait for 'Mast Stepping' day (the next day). So, come Monday, I was back at the yard getting the boat ready to have her mast stepped. My appointment was at 4 so I got there at 2 and spent two hours prepping.

At 4 the mast went on, then I motored back to the guest dock to complete the rigging process. Shrouds tightened, fore and back stay adjusted, sails up and on, sheets on, properly rigged and working, then I washed her down.

Step Three...

The next day (Tuesday) the Fam' and I moseyed over to the marina (after dropping off one car at our home harbor then driving to our guest harbor in the other vehicle) hopped aboard (with all our soft goods) and sailed home. We covered 20 miles in just under 2 hours which meant traveling just about as fast as our wee boat can go.

Sam took the helm for the last 30min or so.

Step Four...

To see video of the trip, click HERE.

We got home and fell right asleep. As we were drifting off I said to Niki, "See, even the things you LOVE require TOIL in order for you to get JOY out of 'em..."

So, keep toiling friends. The horizon is calling.

T

Not so random beauty...

Snapped this on the way to the studio last week.

It was shoot day as usual but there was nothing 'usual' about this tree. This tree is a symbol of life, new life. This tree is (to me) a symbol of Zion, The Eternal City.

This tree is a promise.

That life will (and does) come again.

I need that this year.

Oh yes I do...

T

The week that was...

Another photo recap for you this week...

My new bike. Thanks Mikey. It's an '87. 

When I took it into our local bike shop for new tires and a tune up the owner of the store started laughing. "Well, that's a classic..." he said. Positive guy that I typically am, I assumed he was giving me a compliment. Turns out it was a pretty good bike in its day. I'm told it'd be a $1,000 bike today. What I found most interesting was that he said that this (classic) bike will be 10 times better than the mountain bike I had been training on and that, if this year's triathlon goes well and I end up wanting to keep at it which might mean buying a new bike, I will find that today's version of my 'classic' will be 10 times (again) better than this one. 

I was amazed. 

"How could that be?" I asked. "It's got two wheels and a chain, how different could it be?" He smiled knowingly at me, shook his head a bit, and told me that someday I'd understand.

Progress.

Got me thinking about the man I am today versus the man I was ten years ago. 

Have I progressed anywhere near as much as bike technology has?

Hef.

Crazy.

I interviewed him last year and, just now, we're completing his episode. T'was pretty cool to see the interview cut down and packaged. Tells quite a story. I look forward to you being able to see it sometime later this year.

Main thing I took from my time with him is that passion and drive coupled with hard work and perseverance still tell the tale. Mr. Hefner comes across as a man possessed. He had a very clear vision of what his life was supposed to be about and his just went and pursued it.

Very informative to sit with him and measure (in the silence of my own heart and mind as we chatted) my own passion and drive against his.

Pool time. I've been emptying ours. What's interesting about this is that my Father in law offered me his amped-up Honda pump which, he told me, would empty the thing in an hour or so compared to the week it would take for my little submersible to do it.

I decided (mostly 'cause I was afraid of breaking his pump) to use mine. Took a week with me having to work at it a little each day. Interesting lesson there.

You don't have to have the best tools to get the job done. A little bit of simple, humble, consistent work can go a long way.

I guess you could say 'size' isn't everything after all!

My two littlest babies. 

Love this shot.

Sitting in the empty pool waiting for summer.

Sitting together.

It's important to make sure you don't spend your life alone (despite how much sharing your life with someone will cost you) because waiting is much better when you're not alone.

Another mastering session downtown.

I continue to be humbled to find myself working in the industry I set out to find myself working in ten years ago.

I am very grateful.

I remain very hopeful.

I was so inspired by the above image. Everything looks better on a big screen. Well worth the work and wait it took to get it up there.

Ah yes, 'Date Night' at THE WELL.

Once every two months we book our city's best indoor playground and provide free babysitting and free admission so our people can invite their friends out for a 'date night' knowing that their pastors will be watching their kids for the night.

Kids went wild. The new parents, dropping them off and picking them up, were amazed that a church would do something like this.

Cool.

A good week all told.

T

Sunday...

I've started my day weeping.

(for joy)

This is why...

www.marknbarbie.tumblr.com

That's Mark and Barb Jurgens, our friends, and one of our associate pastor couples at THE WELL, and they've had TRIPLETS today. I was so moved reading through Mark's blog posts from last night that I just kept crying and crying.

Did I mention they already HAVE one-and-a-half year old TWINS?

This should make for a pretty wild day at church.

Please spread the word about their blog and keep praying as their 'littles' will have some hills to climb in the next week or so.

But for now, God be praised, all three delivered and well, and Mommy too!

Hallelujah!

T

Practice...

My littlest daughter's been teaching me something lately.

See, she discovered this thing called the 'cartwheel' last week. I think it was our neighbor's kid who showed her.

Wouldn't you know it, Zoe's been practicing it, and I mean non-stop, for the last week. We're out front relaxing, she's cartwheeling. We're watching a movie downstairs, she's on the other side of the movie room cartwheeling. I watch her at recess (the school's right behind our house), you guessed it, cartwheeling.

She won't stop practicing 'till she nails it.

Pay attention you writers and preachers and assorted dreamers.

Practice makes perfect.

Sure, I've heard that before, but a five year-old beauty is teaching it to me all over again.

T

What you got(s) to do...

Directing today.

With a sinus infection.

So I'm directing from a prone position on the floor. It would be funny (it it wasn't so crappy) to look back and actually count how many days I've spent directing while feeling so sick I can barely function. One time I directed (a feature film) through the night after totaling my car that evening. I couldn't move so they rigged my monitor on the ground, covered me in a sound blanket and away we went.

Sometimes you just gotta' do what you gotta' do regardless of how you're feeling.

This is especially the case in show-biz where budgets and timelines and production schedules conspire to become an insane pressure cooker that forces you to do things no sane person would (or should) do.

Like direct with a sinus infection.

T

500!

Five. Hundred. Posts.

Interesting.

Better make this one worth it...

So, some 'photo recap' for you, again.

That's my neighborhood on 'Earth Day'. Yes, the lights are still on. What struck me about this was one question; "What does this say, if anything, about the culture of my city?" I'm not *saying* I know what it says, nor what that might mean, but I have a pretty good sense. The reason this is important to me is because, in my line of work (as a Pastor and a storytelling Producer) I need to *know* my audience to some degree so that I can *know* how to reach them.

What scares me about this picture is that it suggests that some in the culture of my city are too busy, too successful, too 'sophisticated' to care about a movement that many others around the World do care about. I worry that these actions are saying "I'm above this. I think any mass movement is manufactured. I don't care. Leave me alone in my fancy house, bought with my fancy job, outside of which my fancy car is parked." What worries me about that kind of attitude (if it in fact exists) is that it suggests that the people in my culture aren't very in touch with their 'need' and that makes telling them stories (either entertaining, or life-changing ones) very difficult, 'cause if you think you 'have' it all, what need have you of a good story?

Ahh yes. Mastering a recent episode in one of our series. This one was painful. Why? Well, when I saw the name of this guest on the booking sheet I immediately *knew* this show would suck. I just *knew* (or thought I knew) that he wouldn't have the depth needed to make the particular show in question 'work'. I tried to push back, tried to fight it, but--for various reasons--had to cave.

All this time later, mastering the show, I was proven right. This particular episode is not going to be one of our best. Honestly put, it sucks. So why did I do it? Well, I had to. And sometimes, if you're going to 'make it' in show-biz, you have to do things you don't want to do in order to get to the next step. Not a popular thing to say, not something the 'unrestrained artist' in you wants to hear, but the simple truth.

And on a lighter note. My littlest boy, Sammie, got upset this weekend. For no good reason, he put his head down on the couch and began to weep. Moments later he lifted the pillow and, realizing what he'd done, showed us what you see above. He immediately burst into a smile, all sadness forgotten.

We (I) can learn from him. Sometimes you're just sad for no good reason. That's normal. That's okay. But when life offers you a way out, a way to begin to smile again.

Take it.

T

To BE thankful...

You know, I feel too young to have a wife and family.

I realize I'm no spring chicken but, man, when did THIS happen to me? The female above left is my lovely wife. The female above right is my lovely 2nd daughter.

I'm very blessed.

We had the loveliest of days yesterday, chillin' by our friends pool (ours isn't open yet) in MARCH. For those of you reading around the World, we NEVER get 28 degree (celsius) weather this time of year. This time of year is typically cold and rainy with that one last snowstorm of the season lurking around the corner.

Yesterday was like June.

And I spent it with family and friends.

Something to BE thankful for.

T

Chapter one...

So today I started 'Chapter One'.

My back hurts. Four hours, fifteen minutes in the chair. 20 pages. 5,000 words. Almost 2/3's through the chapter. Have to hang it up now and go make sure the second half of dinner prep gets done.

Just wanted to 'put it out there'.

One of my resolutions for this year was to write a book. I've had several ideas for books and have written several chapters here and there over the years but this year, 2012, I have decided to finish.

So, anyway, I've started.

The real trick now will be to keep it up. I don't know about you but I find that the hardest thing about writing is just the simple 'doing' of it day in and day out.

Like laying bricks.

Writing every day.

Gonna' keep at it though. I'll let you know how it goes from time to time. Hope your project is creeping closer to 'done' as well.

Best,

T

Swing...

That was the 'good' part of my morning. Sitting outside drinking coffee in my Muskoka chair, watching crazy Z chase the sky.

I am thankful for those kind of moments.

After that lovely start I came inside and reviewed two piece of media (a doc and a series) that we've been asked to give feedback on with an eye to potentially helping with a 're-imagining' of each product.

Very sobering.

I'm reminded that it's very easy for creative types to lose their sense of objectivity, and in losing it, it's possible for us to create work that, well, doesn't 'work'.

One of *the* key character traits a commercial artist (like a show biz person) must have is actual, legit, insight into what they do well and what they're just not so good at. You need to be able to appraise your *actual* talent level or you might end up chasing the wrong dream.

If you don't truly know good work from bad (especially in your own work) you're in big trouble.

I feel both sick to my stomach, and tremendously sobered.

T

Catching up...

Okay, so I feel IMMENSE pressure with all of these visits each day and nothing new to post.

I've been dealing with a bit of a creative hangover from a couple weeks back, the week of Robbie's death a year ago. I really didn't have much to say. His funeral is now up in case you want to WATCH IT. It's pretty long and pretty intense but pretty inspiring. My bit comes up second last.

Yesterday I preached a pretty decent sermon. If you're looking for some encouragement it might be of some HELP.

After 'death week' we had 'shoot week' which means I haven't really existed for the past two weeks. Today I'm doing my best to ease back into a productive week but, seeing as it's 'March Break' I'm going to be hard pressed.

To help me have something to say that didn't require heights of creative achievement I thought I'd use some of the photos I've taken recently to help tell the story.

So, a lil' catch up...

Me 'n two of my four, up in the air at the indoor play place we invaded with the kids from our church. As soon as we got there my kids insisted I climb up with them. Despite my protests (mostly feigned) of "I'm TOO old!" I made my way up with 'em. I found it really nice to be loved like that, to have them insist on my company. That's one of the upsides of having kids (in case you're considering it) they love you enough to make you climb.

These are the kids at the end of the night. Pretty happy bunch. The deal is this. If you come to THE WELL we do 'small group' once a month. To make that happen we book this wicked-awesome indoor playground and take your kids for a couple hours so they can go nuts and you can get some space to think and hang out with your church family. Free. Good deal right? Come and see for yourself anytime.

One of our Elder Track guys (Jeff Stout) singing in worship. Funny, I just pulled out my phone and took this shot right in the middle of worship. Something we never would have done 5 years ago. It was such a sweet moment I needed to capture it. What was cool about it was that Aaron (our worship leader, pictured in the background above and also below) was going to lead alone 'cause his band was away. Instead of going that stripped-down I got some guys together to sing 'gang vocals' with him and another guitar to play with him. We ended up with five dudes on stage worshipping Jesus together. I heard from several people in the congregation how much they LOVED that approach. Goes to show you that a little creative flexibility can go a long way when needed.

Said Aaron Weafer, practicing before church. Great guy. What I liked about this moment was knowing that he's going through a *very* rough time right now and watching him reach to find the strength and peace he needed to lead well that morning. Man's work I tell 'ya.

Ahh, the bathroom. Used to be a hole in the ground. It's been a year since we moved into our current house. No, it's not been fun to wait a year (having four kids) for a second toilet. No it's not been fun to do (most) of the work myself. However, you do what you have to do and, lest I forget, the house I live in which used to be the worst house on our street is now right up there with the best of them and that's (given the current market situation) given a serious shot in the arm to our net worth, thank you very much. Goes to show you that, sometimes, hard work and patience and the willingness to take the leap even when it feels (very) uncomfortable pay off. My sweet wife could barely leave our last place, and it's been really tough for her living in partial renovation for a year. She made it though, to her credit. Today, when I got back from my 15K bike ride (my legs are NOT happy) and saw my house, I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving.

Pre-shoot production meeting. Thing that was cool about this was realizing that (in some small sense) we've kinda' *made it* a bit, me and my biz-partner. It was 10 years ago that we really decided to try and see if we could 'make it' as a legit production company. Ten years later there we were, getting ready to shoot what would be our 1800th episode (or so...) of television. Every once in a while I experience these moments where I'm reminded of the progress we've made and reminded to be thankful, and humble, and full of peace.

End of shoot week. 12 hour day on my birthday. 38 and feeling like I might not have *completely* screwed the pooch when I decided to try and become a 'for real' writer/producer ten years ago. Gee whiz man, you look fried.

Birthday week. These were my presents. New snazzy shoes. I'll only wear them to preach, or interview. Three new albums 'cause music is 'forever'. Two new sail magazines 'cause sailing is my hobby. 'The Hunger Games' 'cause I needed to see what all the fuss was about. Read it in one day. The fuss is merited if you ask me.

Yesterday. Went out to pick up a few sticks, ended up raking the entire yard. That's what it's like to be me, the hardest part is 'getting me started'. Once I'm *going* I tend to keep going until the job's done, and done right. While sweating my way through the last bit of the raking I was, again, overwhelmed with a deep sense of thankfulness that I have a house that requires raking. I'm one of those dudes who really likes caring for a home, and I have a home. I bless the Lord for that.

Anyway, there you go. The last two weeks in pictures and words.

Love y'all...

T

Little steps...

THE WELL this past Sunday.

I was pretty happy with this shot (nice work Miki) when I saw it. Why? Well, it really 'captures' how I like 'church' to look. The 'big deal' about that is, in this case, something we're working on actually looks like what I hoped it might look like when we started.

A dream, turned real.

Granted, there's an awfully LONG way to go, we're nowhere near 'set', but I just thought it'd be key to note that all the little steps do eventually lead somewhere.

On another front, tomorrow I'll be in a network pitch meeting. On the one hand this is no big deal, who knows where this will go, the actual chance that one of the shows I pitch will get picked up and make it all the way to the screen is very small indeed.

Nevertheless, going to a network pitch meeting with five shows to sell (three of them already completed) is a dream, turned real. I wanted to be doing this ten years ago, would have given almost anything to get that kind of access. Today, this is not shocking for me. I call that progress.

All the little steps do eventually lead somewhere.

And since I'm a producer, let's think positive.

Imagine one of the pitches got picked up, heck, imagine three of 'em did. What would that be like? Well, I can tell you, it'd be awesome.

And, at the same time...

It'd be just another little step along the road called "What I'm trying to *do* with my life..."

One at a time.

T

Robbie...

Ah God.