We’re experimenting with various painting techniques on these 3D weaponry models for the animated Tales of the Kingdom series.
It was December 18th, 2002. My wife Barbara and I were poised to lose a multi-year struggle to purchase a historic abandoned fraternity we hoped to renovate for ministry.
We’d hit an insurmountable financial road block and the deadline for final chances was less than 24 hours away. The night before our impending loss, we went to the midnight opening of The Two Towers, the second film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
We could totally relate to the cinematic battle at Helms Deep, where the invading Orcs were swarming over the walls. It was our “all is lost” moment.
There was nothing left to do, but grimly persevere through our inevitable defeat the next day.
“Ride out with me.”
In The Two Towers, the battle had also been lost. Nevertheless, Aragorn, King Théoden and their few remaining warriors choose to ride out and meet the enemy Orcs.
The dwarf Gimli looks up and realizes “the sun is rising.”
And Aaragorn remembers Gandalf’s promise.
“Look to my coming, at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east.”
Then, they ride out on their impossible hopeless charge.
But, as they plunge into the Orc hordes, Gandalf appears on the hill. He and the Rohirrim rush to the battle. The sun bursts behind them and defeat turns to victory.
The next day, the time was up on our fraternity. I drove to one more office in one last attempt to find the insurance that would release our financing. As I pulled into the parking lot, a friend called. After I explained our predicament, our friend confirmed the obvious, “It sounds like you have to close tomorrow.” Thinking he hadn’t understood, I started to explain again. Our friend interrupted me and explained that he was giving us the $300,000 to buy the building with cash.
God sent our own “Gandalf” and the battle was won.
That building has been the home of Bordertown Coffee and Kappa Pi Alpha for the last twenty years.
It has been the launchpad for many ministries and many more lives.
We need tales of epic battles between good and evil, because they give us strength for the real world battles we face.
My son Ben used to get sad when he watched The Return of the King. It’s the final movie in The Lord of the Rings trilogy which meant his time in Middle Earth was coming to an end.
He didn’t want to leave that land of epic battles and deep purpose.
These battle tales remind us that even when everyday life seems mundane, meaningless or hopeless, the struggle is worth it.
What we do matters.
Epic tales give us grit to persevere when the battle is long or all seems lost.
They give us hope that good will win in the end.
But, there are too few stories like Lord of the Rings and Tales of the Kingdom.
Barbara and I deliberately choose movies of adversity and overcoming when we are in the midst of difficult spiritual battles. Stories like Lord of the Rings and Tales of the Kingdom strengthen our resolve to fight on.
Our kids need stories of the battle between good and evil as well (age appropriate, of course!).
But, there are too few truly inspiring movies for kids and adults!
That’s one reason it is so important to produce Tales of the Kingdom.
Join us. Help produce an epic animated tale that will help people around the world persevere in the battles they face.
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