On last night's flight, I sat across the aisle from a precious 3-year-old girl. It was her first plane ride.
She told me, "I heard that a plane crashed one time. That makes me a little scared."
I replied, "Yeah, things like that can happen. But that shouldn't stop us from visiting the places we dream of going & seeing the people we want to see. We can't be afraid to go on the journey."
She agreed. And we flew to Knoxville, TN together.
Last night, I filmed an extraordinary 50th Anniversary celebration in NYC! The couple renewed their vows at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, & then hosted a reception at the top of Rockefeller Center. Julio Iglesias performed. The couple danced & sang along to many of his famous love songs.
Five decades ago, they were married in a small ceremony in a borrowed wedding gown & suit. The groom promised that he would give her a true wedding celebration one day. Last night, he delivered.
In his toast to his bride, he said: “Over 50 years, we’ve been upways, downways, & sideways. But we’ve been together ALL THE WAY.”
Thanks to David Tutera & his team for inviting me to capture this special evening. I was blessed by this couple’s story of love, commitment, & family.
I’m in NYC on a filming trip. The rental car company gave me an EasyPass so I could move quickly through the tolls. At the 1st booth I encountered, I discovered mine did NOT work properly. The gate didn’t lift, & there was no way to pay manually. I couldn’t back up - there were already 8 cars behind me.
As I tried to figure out what to do, the honking began. Then unkind hand gestures. Then someone screaming out their window. I started to get anxious, & I had no way to solve the problem.
After a minute, a police officer came out from one of the booths. I braced myself emotionally to get yelled at. (I’m in NYC, right?) He walked up to my window & said, “Just a sec.” Then he moved down the line of cars, shouting to all the people behind me: “This guy’s doing the best he can! Stop honking your horns & shut up or I will give all of you tickets!” He came back to my window & calmly said, “Let’s fix this.” Within 30 seconds, the gate was lifted, & I was rolling again.
In that moment, he did more than solve my problem. He became my PROTECTOR. Beyond fixing the issue, he made me feel safe in a moment when I was powerless to take care of myself.
FEELING SAFE in vulnerable places is a gift. If you have the opportunity to give it, please do. And if you have protectors in your life, you are blessed… be grateful.
Next time I encounter someone in a vulnerable space, I want to do more than fix their problem. I want to use it as an opportunity to help them feel LOVED.
One year ago, I was stuck at the airport in Syracuse, NY.
I got the opportunity to help out a dad flying solo with a 2-year-old & a baby. After 3 hours of delays, he never seemed to lose his cool. I used a napkin to make him a SUPER DAD award.
I am learning that even in difficult circumstances, there is always a way to celebrate the GOOD!
10 years ago, my Mom was in treatment for breast cancer. My Dad went with her to every appointment. She was never alone. He was always there. And he always wore his Superman shirt.
Although everyone calls her Jeanne, my Mom’s legal name is Lois. So, at Moffitt Cancer Center, my parents became famous as “Lois & Superman”. There was even an article about them in the hospital’s newsletter.
Everyone needs a Superman. Someone who helps, cares, & sometimes even saves the day. Someone who is ALWAYS there.
Our family certainly has one. My kids call him Grandpa. I call him Dad.
Today, our family is celebrating my Dad’s 65th birthday. Love you, Ed Culp. Happy Birthday!
This is a moment where it feels surreal.
Our film was featured in Total Film magazine, in the SAME spread as an update on the new Batman v Superman film!
MY picture is on the same page as the stars of this film! WHAT!?!
But, in the big picture, the message below is the MOST important reason we made the movie. This was posted on the film's Facebook page. And it's the reason we are now working on another uplifting superhero film.
Thanks for all of your support on this heroic journey!
You may feel small. You may feel alone. You may feel like you are in the dark. You may feel buried.
But, through faith, you can become something glorious. If you continue to live in love & hope, your life can grow into something spectacular. And the world will be blessed by your growth.
You are NOT dead & buried. You are a seed.
A screenshot from yesterday's shoot for our next superhero documentary film.
An inspiring day in Ontario, Canada at a camp for kids with cancer & their families. So much love & inspiration shared by everyone!
It's been a tiring week, but my heart is full.
BTW - The little boy in this photo... his name happens to be Kye.
Happy Canada Day, & thanks to my friends at POP Kollaborative for sponsoring this trip.
I am convinced that the adventure of my life is 10% me & 90% grace. This photo is a perfect explanation...
Today was brutal. To get the shots I needed for our next film, I spent 4 hours on this little boat in the middle of a storm. I was soaked, & the waves bounced us everywhere. I did my best to keep the camera steady, while my stomach did cartwheels. That was my personal experience. And that was my 10% contribution to the day.
But the day was a success because of the 90% that GRACE brought:
See that coat I’m wearing? A stranger saw I didn’t have a proper raincoat & let me borrow it for the day. I didn’t ask… she just offered it.
See that guy behind me? His name is Braden. He spent the day graciously driving the little boat & never complained once. In this photo, he’s pumping rain water out so we don’t sink.
See the boat? Someone provided it to me at no charge so we could get the shots we needed.
See my footage?... Nope, you will have to wait a while for that. But trust me, when it really mattered, the rain stopped, the waves quieted, & I got the footage I needed.
In the moment, the day felt like a disaster. But as I reflect, I see that GRACE filled in the gaps.
GRACE was enough today. I believe it will be enough tomorrow too. See you then.
This is my friend Kaitlyn. I met her at the Los Angeles premiere of Legends of the Knight. She's on the right side of the photo.
Kaitlyn recently started a Facebook page called Girl Motivation. Her goal with the page is to inspire girls to live awesome lives.
She recently shared her project involving post-it notes. She wrote dozens of positive messages & then placed them inside the front covers of books at her local public library.
I love this clever & sweet idea to spread love & kindness to strangers. It could take months - or even years - to fully unfold.
Check out her page to follow her big-hearted adventures! Happy Summer break, Kaitlyn!
Right before the world premiere of Legends of the Knight, we had a special dinner party.
My Dad gave a speech. He said to me, "My son, I have watched you do many great things. But this is what you were born to do. You will help the world with this film. I am so proud of you."
This photo is of the standing ovation at the end of that premiere screening of the film. Looking back, the applause from the audience is NOT what has had the most lasting emotional impact. My Dad's private speech has resonated more deeply.
Fathers, your words matter. When the world's applause fades, your voice is still heard. And when the world is unkind, your faith is a light.
I've watched my Dad do many great things. But that night, affirming his son is what he was born to do.
Love you, Dad. Happy Father's Day.
In a few weeks, I will be filming in Ontario, Canada at a uplifting summer camp for kids with cancer & their families.
When I contacted the camp to ask permission to film there, the director said: “We know exactly who you are. During our training week with the counselors, we watched your film Legends of the Knight with everyone on our team. We felt it was the perfect way to kick-off our summer. We would be extremely honored to have you come film with us for your next movie.”
In the beginning, I tried to calculate & quantify the impact of this project. But I'm sure there are many more stories like this that I will never hear. I am continuing to learn that kindness has an impact that cannot truly be measured. And I don't need to personally be in control of it.
Please never get tired of doing good. Your love is spreading to places you will never see & cannot imagine.
In 1964, three voter registration volunteers were gunned down in Mississippi by members of the KKK for assisting black voters. In the moment before his death, Michael Schwerner, one of the volunteers, said to the guy who was about to shoot him, "Sir, I know just how you feel."
Two of the murderers later confessed and shared Schwerner’s moment of courage in the face of death with the FBI agents who took the confessions.
"Sir, I know just how you feel."
For me, this story brings the words of Jesus to "love your enemies" to another point of clarity. At the deepest level, it's about being able to reach out & cross over to someone else's heart, even when you cannot logically comprehend them.
I see a lot of anger & hatred on the internet. I'm sure you see it too. Some of the topics of this outrage are petty, some of them are important. We talk about being nicer to each other & spreading love instead of hate. This kind of empathy is the path to that kindness.
It's being able to look even the ugliest moment, word, or action in the face and say: "Sir, I know just how you feel."
It's the power to invite others into a space of compassion. And, perhaps, live there together.
(historical info via Taylor Branch)
Last night, I joined a group of church friends at a local laundry mat. For 3 hours, we paid for the washing & drying of anyone who came in.
We felt it was a simple & kind way to help a neighborhood in need. We met them, hugged them, listened to their stories, & helped wash their clothes.
To me, it seemed like a small thing. But, to the unemployed construction worker, the single mother of 3, & the lady who was recently living in a tent, this small gift represented light in a dark place.
We loved the experience. We are planning to do it again on the first Thursday of next month. And we are expecting a bigger crowd of people who need clean clothes & a few moments of compassion.
Small actions have the power to make a big impact. Doing good doesn't have to be complicated. Today, please take the time to open your eyes, look around, & spread kindness.
This is my friend Scott. We spoke together at the Leaders of Courage event.
He lost his right leg in an accident. By the time help arrived, he had already lost too much blood, & they didn’t have enough of his blood type in the helicopter. It seemed certain that he would not survive the trip.
When the helicopter lifted off, the EMT got right in Scott’s face & said, “It’s going to take 7-minutes to get you to the hospital. You’ve gotta choose to hang on. We can save your life, but you’ve gotta give me 7-minutes right now!”
In his presentation, Scott shared his 7-minute, life-or-death struggle – the thoughts & attitudes that kept him alive. It was powerful. And he continues to inspire as an athlete, CrossFit trainer, mentor, husband, father of 4, & hard-working guy.
After hearing him speak, when I face a difficulty, I say to myself, “You’ve gotta choose to hang on. Give me 7-minutes right now!”
And I continue to find that I always have the 7-minutes of heroic strength & energy when I need it. And I believe you do too!
It was an honor to share the stage with this extraordinary guy.
"There are no comfortable problems left to be solved. The only problems left are uncomfortable."
I’m making another film. On the fun days, I’m the Director, and I get to use my creative, artistic side.
But on many days, I’m the Producer. As a guy making a small independent film, Producer is just a fancy title for Problem Solver. I estimate I will need to solve at least 10,000 problems to make & share this movie. And most problems require me to enter uncomfortable spaces, which isn’t easy for me.
I think uncomfortableness is a primary reason many of us get stuck, in work & in life. To experience personal growth or achieve something extraordinary, we face challenges that are painful. And we usually run from the things that hurt.
But if you want change, you have to be willing to be uncomfortable. Discomfort is an investment in the potential you see ahead of you. If you can get a clear vision of the dream in front of you – a successful project, a healthy body, a more Spirit-filled life, a stronger marriage, a better job, a happier home life, a more solid financial position – it gives your pain purpose & keeps you motivated.
So, today I’m going to tackle a few of the 10,000 problems I will need to solve to finish this film.
The problems make me feel uncomfortable, but I’m in love with the new movie. And I think you will like it too.
In a recent presentation to a group of young people, I chose to be vulnerable & share a personal story that was painful to me.
I recently received a note from the mother of one of the young people in that room. Her son connected with the story, and it helped him know he wasn’t alone. She said he’s been telling the story to others, and, in the process, making it his own. The story has become a place of strength & freedom for him.
Vulnerability is hard. But it’s how we connect with each other. Authenticity allows us to know & inspire each other real ways.
Don’t be afraid to share your journey with someone else. Your story is the key that can unlock someone else’s prison.
Judah & I love the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disney World.
When we started riding it together, I was focused on getting the highest score possible. But, I realized that I was missing the MOST important thing. While I was trying to get a high score, I missed experiencing the ride with my son. And that was the most important thing.
So, now I don't even touch my laser gun while riding. I help him get the highest score he can. We do it together. And sometimes we totally blow away the scoreboard... like this!
In every aspect of life, don't let chasing the high score get in the way of cherishing the experiences & the people that matter.
We had a great time riding today. And Judah has a new hat to prove it.
Over a decade ago, my friend Christine lost her baby in a car accident. The other car was being driven by a person under the influence.
The other driver was my friend Robin.
Christine spent 10 years devastated by the accident. Robin spent 10 years in prison.
When Robin was released, they decided to meet. Robin wanted the opportunity to apologize. And in that meeting, these two brave women both realized how much they needed each other.
In a video Christine posted, she says: "Forgiving Robin is the best thing I could have done for myself. It was a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. It was like I was free again. It's what God wants us to do."
Over the past few months, they have become friends, helping each other through difficult times. And they have been freely sharing their story of forgiveness. I am inspired by Christine & Robin.
In life, terrible things can happen. Bitterness can destroy us. But grace can heal us.
Choose grace.
