How to Handle a Terrible Sleep Report

A couple of nights ago, I got a troubling sleep report. My deep sleep came in at 0% for the night. That translated to a physical recovery score of just 39%—not exactly sustainable.

Now, I imagine a lot of people would freak out over something like that. But not me. I see it as valuable feedback—a nudge to make adjustments and keep moving forward.

And that’s exactly what I did. I went to bed last night knowing that worrying about my sleep would only make things worse. The human body is remarkably resilient. It adapts to whatever we put it through during the day.

Sure enough, my deep sleep rebounded—and I woke up today feeling strong, steady, and ready to seize the day.

If you’re not already tracking your sleep, I encourage you to start. Use the feedback to make small improvements. Over time, those changes will help you maximize your rest and enhance your waking hours.

Have a great day—rest well and live fully.

This is What Surrender Looks Like

Do yourself a favor and see The Chosen: Last Super while it's available on the big screen.  You will not be disappointed.   My wife and I saw part 2 yesterday.  The size of the audience was about double from the previous Saturday when we watched part one of the three part series.  The story may be familiar to believers, however, there are some brilliant unexpected scenes that will leave you experiencing a full spectrum of emotions.  Jonathon Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus, does an extraordinary job of revealing what was going on inside Jesus' head during the most significant moments of his life near the end of his time on earth.

I want to take a moment and say thank you to my friends and family who comforted me yesterday when I shared a post about the emotional roller coaster I'm riding these days, especially when it comes to feelings of depression.  Many offered Bible verses to help me on my journey.  I appear to be in good company as Roumie shared in a recent interview that filming season five ushered in the same feelings Jesus is dealing with–betrayal, surrender, and grief during his last days with his followers.  I'm posting a link to a scene in The Chosen from a previous episode where King David is hearing Psalm 77 for the first time.  There is a scene in the video showing Peter and his wife embracing after his wife, Eden, lost their unborn baby.  Psalm 77 is the same Psalm early believers turned to in dark times.  May this video be a source of comfort for you.  Have a great day.

This is What Matters Most to Me

Happy Saturday. I hope this message finds you well.

Lately, I’ve been going deep. Today, I want to share something that’s been on my heart for a while. And no—don’t cue the violin music. I just want to be real with you.

The truth is, I haven’t quite felt like myself. I’ve been navigating a season of loss—saying goodbye to friends and family members who’ve left this world far too soon. It’s created a heavy void I’m learning to carry.

On top of that, there have been some personal attacks—things I’d prefer to keep private. But I will say this: as a believer and follower of Jesus, I sense that some of these challenges are not just earthly. At times, it feels like dark forces are disturbed by the light I’m trying to share.

But here’s what matters most to me: I will keep sharing—no matter what.
No matter what’s going on in the world. No matter what’s going on in my life.

I’ve tried hiding. It doesn’t work.
I’ve tried staying silent. That doesn’t work either.
And running from the battles? It only delays the calling.

Following Jesus isn’t easy. It was never meant to be. But I have a feeling I’m not the only one walking through this kind of fire.

So thank you—for being here.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.
Thank you for visiting.

Have a great day—and keep going. You’re not alone.

The Baby Steps are Working

Some days, forward progress feels minuscule. On those days, I summon all my strength to do just one thing. Sometimes, it's only a single baby step.

Looking back at the times when I felt stuck—especially during the pandemic—I’m grateful for those small steps. They added up. They carried me forward, even when I couldn’t see it in the moment.

I’ve found that the baby step method works especially well when tackling projects so big they feel overwhelming. And that’s exactly where I am today—standing at the base of something massive. But instead of letting it paralyze me, I’m taking one small step. Tomorrow, I’ll build on that.

How about you? Are you surprised that this year is already 25% gone? How have the last three months been for you?

Promise yourself this: Take at least one baby step today.

Have a great day!

When a Community Comes Together

When a Community Comes Together…

There’s something magical happening in my hometown. The entire town of Williamsburg is rallying behind our mission to bring outdoor pickleball courts to our community recreation center. This week, our list of supporters grew to 500, and donations are rolling in daily. Special pickleball shirts are flying off the shelves—people can’t get enough of them!

But pickleball is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life. If you haven’t experienced it yet, come visit the Williamsburg Rec Center and see what all the excitement is about. The best time to meet new friends and jump into a game is on weekday mornings at the indoor courts. Due to the overwhelming success of the youth programs at the rec center, weekend play isn’t available right now—but that will change once the outdoor courts are built. And that happens as soon as we reach our fundraising goal!

If you’ve never played before, don’t worry—this community is full of people who would love to teach you. So come on out, be part of something special, and see for yourself why pickleball is bringing our town together.

Have a great day!

Jesus on the Big Screen: A Must-See Experience

Last Saturday, my wife and I watched The Chosen: The Last Supper, Part 1 in theaters. We plan to follow up with Parts 2 and 3 over the next two Saturdays while it’s still on the big screen for a limited time. In my opinion, this is one of the most powerful ways to understand what was happening in the final days before Jesus was crucified.

The best way I can summarize this incredible theatrical portrayal of Jesus and His followers is by paraphrasing Mary Magdalene’s words from Episode 2 of The Chosen’s first season:

“I was one way, and now I’m completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him.”

There were about ten others in the theater with us—none with popcorn. This isn’t the kind of movie you watch while snacking. Director Dallas Jenkins masterfully captures the emotions of each character, including the adversaries who genuinely feared the threat Jesus posed to those living under Roman rule.

Do yourself a favor—go see Jesus on the big screen while you have the chance. But before you do, watch the first four seasons at home to truly connect with the characters. You won’t be disappointed.

For a sneak preview, check out the YouTube video below.

Have a great day!

Click here for the link.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Your race started the day you were born. How’s it going so far?

It’s hard to believe I’ve been on this track for nearly 65 years. I’ve learned that I do my best when I focus on my own progress—no matter how slow it may seem at times. The key is to find your rhythm and stick with it. Speed isn’t what matters most. What truly counts is that you keep moving forward.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned about forward motion has to do with the baggage I carry. The more I let go, the easier it becomes to pick up the pace.

So keep going. Trust your rhythm. And remember—slow and steady wins the race.

Have a great day!