No, really… have you? We're getting lots of great comments from folks who have read my new book for grown-ups (including several people who, unable to put it down, have ended up reading it entirely in one sitting), but I'm still bumping into a lot of people who have no idea the book exists. Due to the fact that, in literary circles at least, I don't exactly have the reputation of a Max Lucado or a Rick Warren, my book was not blessed with much of a marketing budget. So… if you read it, and liked it, pass it on. Tell someone you think might also like it.
Oh… and while I'm at it… 47 Beavers on the Big Blue Sea is out! Check it out at your local Christian bookstore or Amazon. It's really silly.
Thanks to everyone who hosted me at Azusa Pacific University this week, where I told my story at chapel and did a session with Hoodwinked co-creator/director Corey Edwards, who is a really cool guy. Lots of fun. Well… gotta get back to work… something's bubbling up in the lab…
I am almost finished – just got it three days ago and it is great reading. I will push it three ways. Through my blog, through my newsletter (I am a Chidlren’s Pastor) and I will write a review and post it on Kidology.org. It’s soemthing I think everyone should read!
I heard your talk at CPC in Orland and it was great as well. I got the 47 Beavers book signed by Phil afterwards. If he remembers I had him sing it for my foster child David. Of course he signed about 200 of them that day.
Yes! A great bood/read for anyone who likes VeggieTales, has ministerial hopes, runs a “Christian” company or has a “dream” for God’s work.
You can read my thoughts here.
Thanks again, Phil, for sharing!
OK, so I wasn’t the only one who had to read it in one sitting? Phew.
Me, Myself, and Bob…Excellent book. Amazing tale. A must-read. I keep buying copies for people. My pastor, my friends, my parents… jelly on.
And 47 Beavers is the most-requested book/CD in our house right now. As a matter of fact, my kids nearly have the entire story memorized! The illustrations are fun, the music is catchy, the story is engaging, and the message is important and clear. My kids (ages 6 and 4.5) have–on more than one occasion–decided to tackle chores and other difficulties together “just like the beavers did!” Ah, it does my heart good.
Nice work, Phil. Keep ’em comin’!
Not only did I read it, I passed it on to my high schooler, who is reading it to write a book report on.
He’s really enjoying it.
Phil,
I saw you at Youth Specialties in Charlotte in December and knew I wanted to pick up your book as soon as it came out. Opening week I couldn’t find a copy anywhere, and settled on waiting a couple days for the shipment from Amazon. I had it finished by the end of the week and passed it onto the Pastor. A great read–I think I wrote about it 3 times on my blog! I hope things continue to go well for you in your new endeavors.
Thanks for the book! It is wonderful that you so openly shared the rise and fall of Big Idea and the lessons that God taught you through the whole process.
At a time when we are losing transparency in leadership, it is refreshing to have someone share so honestly from their heart.
Did it in one day – fantastic read. My wife finished it the other night and agreed. So that’s one other person. : )
Seriously, I gotta do an Amazon review – that’s what you should plug, Phil!
I loved it!! I wanted to read it in one sitting but time wouldn’t allow…
I was so hooked on it my parents started wondering since it’s been so long since I’ve been hooked on a book that they started to read it & so far like it.
I related to a lot of it & it both served as an inspiration & a warning to me. I ended up (especially by the what have we learned chapter) considering it a devotional for me since it spoke to me so much.
Thank you soooo much for this book!!
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Great writing style and difficult to put down. Have told my friends about the book and they ask if I still enjoy VeggieTales – of course I do. They are timeless. We sing the songs all the time – Busy, Busy, dreadfully busy . . ., Where is my hairbrush . . . , etc. Singing them reminds us of the great messages the videos teach. Thank you for all your hard work and determination. Just purchased Mo and the Big Exit. Great!
Like the Jellyfish company name and how that name came to be. A good reminder. I plan to continue promoting VeggieTales and hope to share them w/ grandkids in years to come.
Thank you
I loved Me, Myself, and Bob!!! I loved Veggies and was intruiged by the idea of such a book. I begged my mom to go to APU on Wednesday to get me a copy and to get my Boyz in the Sink poster autographed – very cool!! The book…right…sorry (this is why teenagers don’t write a whole lot ๐ )… I really liked it, and wish that I could have read it in one sitting, but alas, school would not allow me to read through my classes, although lunch was a different issue… ๐ Um….yeah. I love to read and really enjoyed the book, although I was a little lost through all of the technical stuff as my vocabulary is that of a – well – a teenager, surprisingly. ๐
I loved the book, and I am giving it to my former boss. I worked for him when he owend an independant Christian bookstore, but it ran out of money and closed down. ๐
I got your book as a gift from my mother-in-law… and honestly, I was skeptical about it. But I found it remarkably meaningful and moving for my own life — which is pretty remarkable, given the fact that I’m a church planter in Europe (instead of a computer-animator in the heartland of America). Check out my blog if you want to see my recommendation…
When I first read your book, it made me think that the message was too big for just a select group of VeggieTales fans! There are so many people in leadership positions that can truly benefit from your testimony. My suggestion is to share this book with leaders in your church (not JUST in the childrenโs ministry). If there is a Menโs Ministry at your church, this book would be a great resource! As a woman, I really loved your bookโs message, your writing and your humor through it all. But men are wired so differently than we are. You guys struggle more with the whole โWhat I do = who I amโ thoughts.
I also have passed on your book to the community leadership at my church.
Phil! Dude! What a book! Hope. Hope is the theme of this book. When all crumbles around you, don’t worry. It’s only the end of a thing. A thing that was giving the world a blessing, and Phil cardiac disease! But the Veggies are still coming, and Phil is most assuredly better off physically! Awesome “teaching-within-a-story” type book. I’m gripped. I rave to everyone about it constantly, especially Veggie Fans from way back. You are so right about college aged, Christian bookstore workers spreading the Fee-Nom of Veggie. My wife and I and all our friends were late teens to late 20’s, and the guy who turned us all onto Veggies was late 20’s-ish manager of a christian bookstore here in Daytona Beach. Not only that, we ALSO had a young people ministry realated party, and a guy named Dean wrote “bring you’re own bamboo” refering to Island Veggie. We were freaking when we read that story of the veggie party. OK, ENOUGH! This is almost to long to read now. BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO SAY!!
RD
Just used “47 Beavers” as the bed time story at my kids’ overnighter at the church last night and they loved it! (I loved your wonderful gift with the book of you reading and singing the story! ) What a great lesson on working together! “Sidney and Norman” has become my “gift” book when I need to buy someone a present!
Sadly I have not read your book yet. I want to though! ๐
After re-reading my last comment, I guess I need to clarify when I said “share the book with leaders in your church”, I meant all of us…not just YOU. I obviously needed more coffee yesterday! Sorry.
Second shot here. I really liked the book, etc. Very gripping. Very teaching in story form. This is the first time I have ever “posted” on any blog. I must’ve really messed up my initial post, as it perpetually “awaits moderation”
Phil, i love all your stuff. Have looked for the book at Target several times. Not there, tho. Asked my wife to be looking out for it becuz she gets to more outlets thasn me. Hope to read it soon.
As for “Beavers” I gotta get that one for the kids, cuz they love Sidney & Norman… or what was that second pig’s name?
Incidentally, I read that one and loved it.. but I’m neither of them… Hmmm… I seem to be somewhere distinctly in the middle… And, consequently, I’m blaming my parents for that. ๐
My mom just bought your book for me on a whim, and I’m very glad she did. I’m a stay at home mom with a 2 year old who keeps me busy, but any chance I get, I pick up the book and read. It’s entertaining while having a great message. I’m hooked, and have friends looking to read as well. My daughter is a big Veggie Tales fan, and i will keep my eye out for the 47 beavers and other creations you come up with! keep up God’s work with great blessings!
Phil, thanks for the honesty. I bought the book on a Thursday and finished it within 4 days. At the same time I bought the book I also bought a wooden sign to hang in my kitchen, “Be still, and know that I am God!”. I wasn’t looking for either one, so I feel pretty confident God is speaking to me. I’m approaching 43 in a few weeks, so it’s that time to ask, “What have I done, what am I doing, what should I do?” – God just gave me the answer; plan to do nothing other than seek Him.
There were so many parts of the book I identify with, and so many I had to say, “Oh, yeah, been there, DOING that..”.
Have to tell you that at my first job interview out of college I got asked the “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” question. I answered, “I have no idea. Five years ago, I would never have envisioned being where I’m at, so I really can’t say.” Fortunately (actually divinely), my future employer was a 62 year old devout Baptist, who spent 2 years discipling me as we often rode the train together into work.
There’s lots I’d like to tell you, but hey, this is your blog and your book!
I too have lots of people that I know would benefit from your story.
Seriously, and sincerely, thanks for being willing to write what you wrote.
I’m 3/4ths of the way through. I should finish the book by tomorrow (I’m reading three other books at the same time). It’s a great book. Very honest and heartfelt. Thanks for sharing your story. My story resembles your own in some ways. I highly recommend it.
Yeeaaahh! There’s a new Jelly video!
Phil,
This is the fastest I ever read any book, I couldn’t put it down. I am about the same age as you and was raised in Ohio, going to church was a mandate in my house and we were only excused if we had a high temp, or threwup the night before. I was reminising with you through the Atari 400 and the MTV rage. I never connected with MTV because unlike most teens at the time, my parents would not hook up to cable. I loved your wit throughout the book and am now in the same place as you were after losing it all. I am currantly unemployed and in reading your book, I am seeing that having peace in this is totally understandable. Some people look at me funny, when I say I am waiting on the Lord.
I will be praying for your new endevoers.
Thanks for making my life as a Sunday school teacher/director more interesting.
kidkove.blogspotI posted my review on my blog. You can view at http://www.kidkove.blogspot
Hi Phil…I could write a long post here, but instead, I will just tell you that I wept at the end as the Lord spoke to me about the death of my own business plans/dreams I have been journeying through. Nothing of your scale as far as business accomplishments, but as deep of a struggle. Blackaby’s comments were already rummaging through my heart when I read your book and it just confirmed it all. I have taken the advice and am walking through the application of that all now. And the Lord brought me a Roy. Your story helped me identify him. Thank you for sharing such a deep and impactful lesson. There is life on the other side.
This is a fantastic book. I’m actually reading it with my son, who just turned 8 last weekend. Last night, it was bedtime reading for me, my husband and my just-turned-8-year-old and I cut off at a really, really exciting part (where Phil decides to go for the Jonah production despite their bleak financial situation) and my son actually started crying because I would not read more! He also had a blast telling anyone and everyone who would listen the early story in the book about the sword accidentally going into the guy’s leg.
Love this book. Phil Vischer is a genius.
I also read it in one sitting, well i was lying down in bed so i guess it was a lying and not a sitting. I am also recommending the book to everyone I see. And the book has been useful in my business lecture, might give my business lectturer a copy.
My husband and I both read your book and we LOVED it! I so appreciate your honesty about what you learned through the rise and fall of VeggieTales. There were so many things about your story that can be applied to life where we are now. Thanks!
Phil,
I just completed your book and as I completed those last couple of chapters I was left speechless. I had read your online account but still wasn’t prepared for the journey that you take us on. Another reader wrote in this blog somewhere that they cried upon reading the book…I now know what they were talking about. Like so many others I was rooting so hard for all of you to really make a go of it in this ministry that part of me was crushed right along with you.
However I was so completely encouraged by your conclusion to this book that I turned right around and told my wife that this book is a must read. Indeed, I found myself nodding my head in agreement and seeing a lot of myself in all that you struggled with.
I am so very thankful that you shared as deeply and personally as you did. Your book truly ministered to me. I and my family look forward to all that God has in store for you and all of us Veggie Fans!
Well, the book finally went from “Material Under Consideration” to “Material on Order” this past week. It looks like they’re ordering 13 of them (plus the one they were using to consider it, I’m assuming), and I’m 13th on the the waiting list, so as soon as they come in, I should be able to get it. ๐
Well, the book finally went from “Material Under Consideration” to “Material on Order” this past week. It looks like they’re ordering 13 of them (plus the one they were using to consider it, I’m assuming), and I’m 13th on the the waiting list, so as soon as they come in, I should be able to get it. ๐
I was one of those who read the whole book in one sitting and absolutely loved it! Thanks for sharing your experiences and making me think about the role of dreams in my life as well. This is one of my favorite all time books!
Hello Phil!!
We do family reads…have always done so…now that my kids are 16 and 19 (yup, just the age to promote Veggie Tales!) we have had to find more interesting books to read. We are all fans of VT, so decided to read about the man behind the characters. We are LOVING this book!! Since I’m reading it out loud to them, we cant do it in one sitting..although we have heard the “read just one more chapter…” many times. We’re about 3/4 of the way through, and we think you are an awesome writer! The book moves along in a fascinating, interesting and amusing way. You paint a vivid picture…and we can just about imagine everything you talk about. Thank you so much for your ministry!!! Kep em coming!!!
Blessings to you and your staff!
kidkove.blogspot.comSorry I got the url wrong. It is
http://www.kidkove.blogspot.com
Or just hit on my name
Phil – I read the book and absolutely loved the story that it has to tell. It will be required reading for the students in my business classes in the upcoming semesters and is now on the top of my list for gifts to be given. Thank you for your honesty and openness.
cbhministries.org.Hey Phil I LOVE the book. Must confess I never really connected with the Veggies, but my friend Andrew who recorded you for the audiobook reccomended it, and I’ve really appreciated your humility and candor. I work at CBH Ministries producing media for kids and families, so I really related to the triumphs and tragedies you discussed (on a much smaller scale, of course). Thank you so much for your willingness to share the lessons learned! I found them so valuable.
Yesterday my boss, getting ready to leave on a 2 week trip, stopped by my office to ask if I was done yet with “that book you keep going on about?” I wasn’t quite (still have “Dreams part 2” and the Epilogue to go), but I let her borrow it anyway. I’ll probably end up sharing the book with everyone in our ministry–it’s that important!
I also started a blog yesterday, and I put you on my blogroll (hope that’s ok) and I’ll plan to put a link to your jellyfish site too. Not lookin to plug here, but if you get a chance, I’d love for you to check out what we’re doing up here in Grand Rapids at http://www.cbhministries.org.
Thanks again for, using your gifts for the Kingdom, staying in the struggle and sharing from your experiences!
TRudATmusic.comPhil.
I finally did finish reading it (I told you that i would). Also, i posted our interview over at TRudATmusic.com – http://www.TRudATmusic.com/inTRuview.php?i=15
Should have some book reviewish type things up soon around the web.
Have a good one.
peace… love… bdg…
I wanted to read the book because I love Veggie Tales (and Bob was on the cover)! I am NOT a reader, but couldn’t put the book down. I even was kinda “bored’ with all the business details, but felt compelled to keep reading. When I got to the last 3 chapters I knew why!. I believe God is in everything and He wanted me to understand that all I Need is Him. I cried when the realization hit me and had I not already loaned the book out I would be re-reading those last chapters (I’ve already read them twice, but couldn’t wait to share the book). Please have this printed in paperback so I can buy a number of copies to give as gifts. I added it to my blog so I could share my feelings with family and friends. THANKS for the great encourageent!
Will keep my eyes open for a copy of your book.
Read it. Loved it! Thanking you for becoming transparent with the world. It’s refreshing and freeing–encouraging me to do the same. Learned much through your sharing. Thank you, Phil.
Phil, you are one of my new of few heroes. Thanks for writing your book. Among other principles I learned from you, I’ve now begun to “shift my vision from impact to God”. I believe your writing will have far-reaching effects because it is anointed. Oh, by the way, I direct creative arts at the Bible college that I graduated from. Every time you mentioned your college, it would make me laugh because it sounded so familiar! Yeah, you’re a hoot Phil.
Phil,
When my studio production manager gave me this book right before I went on vacation, I didn’t really know much about you. Of course, I knew all about Veggie Tales after owning half of all you’ve produced!
But, the book, especially the last part of the book was worth it. Your retrospective look at all that happened was like reading my story in some ways. Only ours was a 65 year old, well respected ministry going into a merge with a mother company who would just swallow up our ‘kids only’ identity. I couldn’t let that happen so I stood up to the board. I lost 8 really good friends over that one and it hurt terribly for a long time but I knew God was in it. The entire board resigned in one day. He has brought us around and through that time and we’ve come out shining like gold! It’s been an amazing transformation and unbelieveable spiritual journey. I’d love to sit down and tell you about it some time but that’s sort of out of the question.
Keep up the great work for the Kingdom. May God bless you in a very unexpected way today.
Terre
Mr. Vischer,
Thank you for your book. I am 31 years old and have been a Christian the last 7, I did not grow up in a religious household. VeggieTales is one of the staples in mine and my children’s spiritual growth. Many things in your book hit so close to my heart, that at times I felt like a was reading about myself in someone elses life.
My birthday is June 17. I am a creative, digital video/photographer who has been a computer animation hobbyist for several years. I even have a character that I was inspired to create that I used to make a children’s story. I self published the story last year, with the help of OfficeMax, and took it to my daughters kindergarten class. It was a big hit.
My wife and I are currently getting divorced, and in January my house was burglarized and my computer stolen. Only the computer was taken. The one tool that I used for everything. I hadn’t been without the services of an Apple computer since I was 17 years old, and now my main creative outlet was gone. It was so weird to me because I have done a lot of video work for different ministies with that computer. I had become the “go-to guy” at church and the rescue mission when you had a video project you wanted to do. I was in the process of editing two weddings that I had filmed. Now, I don’t have money to just go and buy a new computer, but insurance will cover most of the cost of a new one, but it hit me that that is not really the point. God new that my computer was going to be taken and he let it happen. Now I know that the scale of your experience was huge compared to mine, but when you described that sinking feeling you had when the jury came back with their verdict, I had that exact same feeling when I walked in the house and saw that my computer was gone. The first few weeks were the weirdest. I wasn’t used to not working on something on my computer. But the last month or so I have really just been surrendered to God and resting in Him. When I “stumbled” accross your book I just new I had to read it. And believe me, I am definately not a reader, I don’t think I’ve really ever “wanted” to read anything.
In reading your book I found myself; laughing, crying, comforted and confirmed.
There is one thing that really stood out to me. You did exactly what you were suppose to do. You started VeggieTales, and VeggieTales is still going strong and feeding many. What God used you to create is still here, it did not die when “your dream” and “your company” died. Phil Vischer was the pivotal guy used to start an awsome legacy and that will never change.
P.S. When did you start going grey? I was 18.
Finished your book this morning. Had a good cry as the lessons you learned are lessons we have learned as a pastor family. Difference venue, same lesson. Thanks.
Phil,
I just finished the book today and the last couple chapters really hit me between the eyes. I’ve dreamed of holding a meaningful, enjoyable job for a long time, which has made me rather miserable at my present job. Your book has challenged me to rethink my motivation. Am I willing to trust God even if my work is miserable? A friend of mine once said “God isn’t interested in your happiness, just your holiness.” For years I’ve tried to ingone that statement!! Maybe it’s time to put my money where my mouth is and live solely for the One who “made me special and loves me very much.” Thanks for the challenge! It’s greatly needed.
Hey im only sixteen and thought Me, Myself & Bob was one
of the coolist books i have ever read.Being a artist and animator
and big fan of Phil Vischers work it was great on many levels.
Thank you.
Your honesty and humility point to Jesus through your book. What a mighty, amazing and unfathomable God we have!
(I also like the talking vegetables ๐ )
I got the book for Easter and like others… I couldn’t put it down. I finished around 3 AM this morning.
I was really blown away. I had no idea Big Idea had gone through all of that. I saw my first VeggieTale kind of late in the game… Christmas of 1999 we received “The Toy Who Saved Christmas”. My mother-in-Iaw insisted that we watch it with the kids. I was prepared to be unimpressed. The message would be the same as the others “the true meaning of Christmas is that giving is better than receiving”. I was blown away when the little Veggies started talking about God and Jesus!!! That was the true meaning of Christmas!
I am so glad that God sent you to fill the glaring whole in children’s television. Your fabulous sense of humor is what made VeggieTales work (and Mike’s and I am sure Kurt’s). You created something beautiful, even if you weren’t meant to run it.
Your insights into what God wants from us are inspiring. I am looking forward to all your future work!
Wow, wow and wow again! I received the book as a birthday gift and began late Saturday night and finished it Monday afternoon. What an incredible blessing it was!
My husband and I were both so deeply impacted by its message. So much so we were both in tears for the last several chapters. We are in a situation of our own in the ministry (I’m a Children’s Pastor and as such of course a dedicated VeggieTales fan) and grapling with why the Lord would lead us in making my ministry dream come true, only to now be in a place to see it painfully not coming together like I thought it would. I relate so much to the drive to have vision and impact for the Kingdom, but all at the cost of a shell of a relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you Phil for sharing your story and in such a humorous and inspiring way. I am blessed beyond ability to convey, and I know it was no accident that this book made it into my hands at this particular time in my life! May God continue to bless and minister to and through you!
Just finishing the book. I hope you read the comments. Loved the book. God is good. He led me thru a 9 year valley with regard to career that I never really understood. All I can say is that God loves an obediant child. I am thrilled that thru it all you continued to keep at least one eye firmly fixed on God. You will be blessed and successful with an eye on God, even if you end up selling tomatos in the produce aisle at the corner grocery store. Sorry about that one Bob! Blessings to you Dude! Rita Baxter
Phil, thanks for the effort and especially the openness of your last few chapters. It has been especially relevant as my two business partners have walked out and taken business with them that they shouldn’t have. My wife also has truly enjoyed your book and so have the 6 other friends who I gave copies to read.
If you are ever in Southern California, I would love to host a gathering for you. God Bless and keep listening for God’s voice to use your creativity!
PS. My daughter (age 6) and I are going to get “47 Beavers” this weekend as she loved listening to you read the story on the internet last night!
I just finished your book Phil and I have to tell you โ it is amazing. Not only was it fascinating to learn about the story of Big Idea, but to get a chance to read the โafter-storyโ of Big Idea and to see how God worked through you (clearly in a way you did not see coming) was powerful. I have previously read every book you referenced in โMe, Myself, & Bobโ (among others), and I must admit your book ranks right on up there! Thank-you for writing this. Thank-you for sharing your insight into how God worked through the events of Big Idea. Thank-you for bringing a completely new perspective to light for me on operating within Godโs will. This has changed me. Thank-you.
Yes, I just finished it–and I want to buy it for every person I know! I am telling my whole church to read it! “Thank you” are two small words, but I couldn’t mean them more. God is using you, praise His name!
Yes, I have read your book! I loved it! Then again, I thought I would. It’s the first book I have ever bought myself. I’ve wanted to know the whole story on Big Idea for a while. Now I do! Thank you for sharing your heart. Thank you for your humility and honesty. That last part is a comfort to me. I’m in college, and have many things I would like to do once I get out. I know it’s all about the journey, though. Your book reinterated that. God Bless You! Keep doing what you’re doing.
At the back of your book it says there is an extra chapter to read.
I can’t find where toi enter the code.
Help
Jim R
I read your book today cover to cover. I laughed, I cried, my questions about “what happened to Big Idea” were answered! Thank you – for what must have been a difficult book to write! Your honest soul-searching resonated with me – as did your quirky “growing up in the 70’s and 80’s” stories. My daughters and I broke out our favorite VeggieTales in your honor – which, oddly enough, includes “Larry Boy and the Angry Eyebrows” ! Bring back “Lampy”! I will pray for your family and for Jellyfish!
My wife and I read the book this week. It really hit home for us, as we are seeing some dreams of ours slip further away. Thanks for your candor. After going through tests, I have tried to think of what lessons I have learned. You did a great job of brining this all out.
I purchased your book yesterday afternoon and read the entire thing. I couldn’t put it down!! I appreciate your candor and honesty. What I admired most about the book was your lessons learned at the end. It always amazes me when I look back on situations and see the hand of God guiding me, or signs that He was trying to tell me something and I didn’t get it until He got the 2×4 and wacked me upside the head with it!
Our family recently made drastic changes to our lifestyle. We learned a huge lesson and ignore that voice that says “you deserve it”. I could relate to your story, though on a much smaller scale.
Thank you, Phil for sharing your story. God is working through you to reach others. What can be greater than being a conduit for Him?
I’d love to host a gathering for you if you ever find yourself in the Louisville Kentucky area.
Also, in the back of the book, there was a code to enter to read more. Where on your website to we enter that?
=]
I loved the book and read it in two sittings. That is an amazing feat considering I have three kids! The book was always in one hand and I was chasing after the kids with the other! Thank you so much for sharing your story. What an amazing testimony. I have recommended it already to all of the people around me.
The only reason I didn’t read your book in one sitting was because I started too late in the day (I finished it the next morning). I was deeply touched by your journey and just want you to know that beyond being an interesting read, God is truly using this book. I have been deeply concerned by the move in recent years to turn pastors into CEOs. I started reading some of those books and was being turned in their direction until I finished your book. Thanks for keeping me on track with the fact that wisdom for the future comes from God–not the latest “7-step” guru. What a joy to serve God in the here and now!
I haven’t read the book yet, but I have anticipated it since I heard you speak, Phil, at the National Youth Workers convention last November in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was so touched by your testimony. It was one of my favorite moments of the whole convention. Your story challenged me to reevaluate my call and giving God control of my dreams rather than trying to succeed for my own recognition. Thank you for sharing your heart. God is using you!
Sorry in advance for the length of this. To tell you how much I liked “Me, Myself, and Bob”. well, I have never responded to an author after reading their book. And I read alot! I hate that you had to go through all that. But I really respect your honestly in retelling your story. Thank you.
I prayed for my husband to know God for years. Two years ago God began to call him. My husband now attributes his faith to God, my prayers, the prayers of others, and Veggie Tales. It was during his “rethinking God” era we saw our first Veggie Tales, Madam Blueberry. My husband kept saying over and over… “A thankful heart is a happy heart”…? I enjoyed it immensely, but the shows concepts I’d believed in since God claimed me at 9. But the way the show made my husband laugh, had off the wall humor, and yet such a deep message really struck a cord with him. God used it to draw him closer. Now it is such a blessing to hear my 3 year old running around the house singing “Stand up. Stand up. What you believe in. God! He back you up!”
Since my husbands conversion, God, through lots of prayer, and reading the Bible, is transforming us, our marriage, parenting, dreams, and life. My husband is an incredible artist. My “dream” has always been to write. God has a few times asked me to give it up for him. I threw fits, and cried and wondered where I’d be, who I’d be without it. But God waits until I calm down, grow up and say… Ok. Fine. Whatever you want. He must laugh at my charades like I laugh at my son… “Ah she thinks I’ll give in if she cries, how cute!” When I walk away he pulls me too him, and dusts me off. After I’m willing to walk away, he redirects me and sends me back to my dream, then stuff I produce is better. My husband has always been very talented, but the more he prays for God’s assistance in his craft the more incredible it becomes.
Your book was a check for me, making sure I was on the right path. I spent a few weeks after reading saying… This is yours, God. Take it. Only this time I didn’t throw a fit, because he’s shown me, and your book pounded the fact, I need him more then I will ever need my dream. Thank you. Thank you for that reminder. Thank you for Veggie Tales in my life, and the lives of many other people I know. Thank you for this book, the way it’s touched me, and I am confident it’s touching other people too!
Also, yesterday I bought SIdney and Norman. My kids loved it. My husband and I cried. We tend to be good at beating ourselves up. So it was refreshing to know He just loves us. We’d been needing the reminder. I already have a list of people I’ll be buying it for.
I have been telling a lot of people to read your book. My husband has a blog… http://oneof100.spaces.live.com/ He’s planning to do a write up on it as well. I just pray God will get them both into the hands of those who really need to hear it. I did, and both books have trully called to my heart. Thank you so much for your hand in my life. God is using you and I pray he’ll continue too! God bless!
I just finished the book, Phil. I’ve been struggling with making my dreams happen so, when I read Dreams Part II, God definitely had my attention. Wow. Powerful, beautiful stuff. Thanks, Phil.
Iain
I wandered into a Christian bookstore this past Saturday praying for inspiration. I passed many known authors when I stumbled on โMe, Myself, & Bobโ. As a Veggieโs fan, I was excited to see a book by the โPhilโ behind VeggieTales. Truthfully, I had not kept up with the company-related issues so the fact that Big Idea was bankrupt and no longer in Philโs hands shocked me. I was first intrigued and then heartbroken by the story. Then the chapters telling โwhat we have learnedโ changed everything.
I have a modest, yet highly ambitious, puppet ministry. I was very passionate about โimpactingโ those young souls – my words to God, not Philโs. I had prayed just this evening that I would make a difference. I didnโt want to be in a โmediocreโ ministry. (Mediocre being defined as small. Unexciting. Without impact.)
This was before I finished this book. I bought Philโs book on Saturday. I completed the book the following Tuesday night at 1am, unable to put it down.
God has been dealing with me of late with respect to my ministry. Phil, you summarized them all in โLessonsโ. Now I have a cheat-sheet for all the points He has raised to me in the past few months. Thank you, Phil. With all my heart, thank you.
I wandered into a Christian bookstore this past Saturday praying for inspiration. I passed many known authors when I stumbled on โMe, Myself, & Bobโ. As a Veggieโs fan, I was excited to see a book by the โPhilโ behind VeggieTales. Truthfully, I had not kept up with the company-related issues so the fact that Big Idea was bankrupt and no longer in Philโs hands shocked me. I was first intrigued and then heartbroken by the story. Then the chapters telling โwhat we have learnedโ changed everything.
I have a modest, yet highly ambitious, puppet ministry. I was very passionate about โimpactingโ those young souls – my words to God, not Philโs. I had prayed just this evening that I would make a difference. I didnโt want to be in a โmediocreโ ministry. (Mediocre being defined as small. Unexciting. Without impact.)
This was before I finished this book. I bought Philโs book on Saturday. I completed the book the following Tuesday night at 1am, unable to put it down.
God has been dealing with me of late with respect to my ministry. Phil, you summarized them all in โLessonsโ. Now I have a cheat-sheet for all the points He has raised to me in the past few months. Thank you, Phil.
Hey Phil,
I just wanna to say that your book had taught a boring canadian a thing and two about the business world and how one can struggle with their Christian faith. This book had open my eyes once again to Christianity, which is something I had been having problems latey. Other then that, it’s real funny. Kepp up with the good work! ^.^
Also enjoyed the book a great deal. and… I haven’t seen a post replying to earlier ones yet, where is that last chapter???
the book “me, myself and Bob” was great. the first part of the book helped so much as i read about the rapid growth and struggles of Big Idea. In 2005 i sold all my real estate and moved to produce and children’s video for kids that build self esteem and faith. Looking back on it i realized that not only did we make HUGE errors in business but big errors in keeping focus on what was really most important…God. Thanks Phil for the second part of your book that really help, hit home and produced some emotions. I am looking to produce kids videos and adult training material as i continue to build a real estate company. I just finished the book today and NEEDED the last couple chapters on GOD. thank you so much and I hope to meet with you in the future.
Yes I have read the copy of MM&B that you gave us at Ridgecrest this past month at our National Sales Meeting. In fact page 235 has become one of those focus point pages that I will review on a regular basis. For me I’m still doing what I have a passion for since founding a Christian Book Store in April 1975 that I sold to LifeWay in 1997 and remained on as their store manager here in Tyler, TX.
Blessings as you go forward, Paul
Hi Phil,
Don’t know if you get a chance to read through all the comments but I thought I’d share a little of my story as well. I was handed a copy of your book from a friend, who much to his surprise figured I’d have heard of it or would have even read it. You see, I had been involved in a large parachurch ministry organization for 16+ years. I had been to the NRB’s, CMA’s, and CBA’s. I had been involved in several committees and presented and moderated during several conventions. Then about eight months ago my senior level position was eliminated as new management came onboard. Was I surprised? Yes and no. Looking back one could see the signs of dysfunction and the withdrawal of communication. So, in that sense, I was not surprised. Yet the new initiatives and only outreaches to younger generations that my team were making, I thought would be a cornerstone of the organization as it moved forward. I was wrong and that was surprising. Now I find myself asking God why He has lead me down this path having given me the gifts, talents, and desires I have only to find closed doors. Being a progressive mind in ministry does not always fit the conservative frontage. And, having been in “Non-profit World” for 16+ years is not deemed beneficial when talking with corporate America. That’s only part of the reason I have adopted the moniker, WeirdGuy. Yet, I digress… back to the book.
My friend knew from my ministry experience that I was often “up on all the new CBA titles”. So when he heard I hadn’t known about your book he immediately let me borrow his copy. I started it the other day and was smacked with similarities. We’re within a few years of each other and I can SO related to everything I have read in the first 50 pages. I was that kid with the Super8 camera. We talked of Star Trek episodes during lunch in Elementary School and dreamed up movie ideas while catching minnows in the creek behind my friends house. The first big production was “Killer Tennis Balls from Outer Space”. For pyrotechnics we used Estes rocket engines. Cool! Then, we too, scratched on the film for the laser blasts. I remember seeing Tron and seeing Star Wars 7 times in the theatre while reading the book three times at home. I remember StarLog and comic books. I remember my first animation stand purchased from Comic Colour (?), who I think have gone out of business. Do you remember the Kodak book on animation techniques? I was so excited the day it arrived. I remember, later in High School, talking our Graphic Design teacher into letting us do a short animated film with roto-scoping. Ambitious to say the least. It was going to be a medieval fantasy. I still remember laying on the ground shooting up as two friends on horseback with capes flowing jumped over a log right next to me. FUN! I too remember wanting to take Disney by storm but, God having other plans as I wanted to apply to CalArts.
Anyways, before I go on too long, I wanted to let you know I am at “that” point in my life where I am asking God “what’s next?” Even though I never had the chance to meet you when we were running in the same circles I know you can relate by what I have read thus far in your book. I know part of me feels like I drifted from my passions and talents while part of me is ever so appreciative of the experiences God has given me in starting departments, building teams, and having a measure of influence for His name sake, not mine. I’d love to share more and hear more from you.
If you’re ever in the Atlanta area, let me know. I’d love to grab some coffee or a meal and catch up with an “old” friend in Christ.
The story continues and I look forward to reading more of yours.
Regards,
-ebrown
Thank you for telling your story. As a church librairan I have purchased and enjoyed promoting VeggieTales to others. Children and adults always enjoy your productions. Now I will promote your book. Continue with your great ideas at Jellyfish. The lessons you have learned from past experiences will see you through great advenutres ahead.
Hey. I enjoyed the book and have passed it on, as well as recomending it and informally preaching from it (my friends are tired of hearing me say ‘Phil Vischer’.)
I also wrote my own little review on my blog at http://hampsterwheels.blogspot.com/
Ok, I’ll be honest. When I saw the book, I was totally excited… and broke. I made the offhand comment to my mom that I thought it would be really interesting. My mom’s reaction was, “Aren’t you a little old to be reading a Veggietales book?” Anyways, she bought it for me as a surprise and it was awesome! I ate it up. I think its interesting when a dream grows too fast and becomes almost a burden. I have had that happen to me (on a much smaller scale!) and boy does your heart ache when you have to open your hands and allow God to take it away. Its been my experience that all of my failures have been because of keeping my hands closed and not allowing God to put things into my hands and take things out as He sees fit. Well, anyways I greatly enjoyed the book and found it very encouraging! Phil, you have a great sense of humor and you should write more books for adults!!
Phil- I am a mother of 2 (and one more ‘baking’ as we speak ๐ but my two boys 3 and 17 mos. LOVE Veggie Tales. Seriously, I think my 17 month old would choose to watch them all day looped if I let him. And besides them, I LOVE Veggie Tales. I just read your book. It took me 2 days. I couldn’t put it down. I wanted desperately to hear the outcome, and while it is dissapointing that things didn’t work out another way, the joy of God’s grace and mercy far outshines the way it all ended for you and Big Idea. I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done, for creating the Veggies and for your continued ministry. I pray that God blesses you with a deeper and richer relationship with Him. I am very excited to see what Jellyfish is all about!
Phil, I almost didn’t hang in there for the best part. I was so depressed by your experience – I was beginning to believe you still didn’t learn anything. Until the “Dreams Part II”, I thought you remained an arrogant, selfish sort.
I was in tears with your last 3 points. I thank God that you shared this with me so hopefully I don’t have to “.. fall down the stairs ..” for me to be able to listen and understand God and me is complete – no accessories.
I share so much in common with you, not from a artistic, creative sort, but from a Walt Disney admirer. But even more, I love Henry Blackaby. I plan to get his book on Samuel.
philvischer.comMishy – go here for the last chapter:
http://www.philvischer.com/lost_chapter.php
I loved the book!! I cried through the last few chapters as I also have had a dream taken away and needed to hear the reminders you give. I have a few questions. It seems that another small voice of God’s trying to speak to you was your own work. As you were producing Madame Blueberry you were also trying to keep up with the Disney’s. I found that many times when I am teaching or preaching I hear God speak to me through my own words. I’m wondering if any of your own work could also be counted amoung the ways God tried to get your attention. The second question is just a curiosity. Did you ever find out who the people from Minnesota were who wanted to but Big Idea? I wonder if they were angels sent to protect you from personal financial ruin?
I’ll be passing the book along to others!!!
I have one more chapter to read. I have been a big fan of Bob and Larry. I have enjoyed watching the DVD’s and seeing how the Veggie Tales were created.
The book actually made me hurt. I have appreciated the next to the last chapter where he talks about what he has learned.
God is good. All the time. Thank you Phil for Bob and Larry and the smiles and lessons they have given me.
Linda
I am one of those people that couldn’t put the book down and just finished reading it this weekend while camping. I am sooooo excited to see you are doing well, Phil! The book was fabulous and a great way to explain what happened. I have already passed the book to my husband, who normally only reads about a chapter or two a day and he is already half way through the book. (and actually understands all the technobabble…:)
Anyway, we will pass the book on when we are done, and, if you write another ‘adult’ book (or any book, for that matter) I will run to the nearest bookstore to buy it.
Mr Vischer,
I am a 55 year old minister, and I felt compelled (although God did not โput it on my heartโ) to write and thank you for “Me, Myself and Bob”. In part Iโm writing because I feel this odd (silly?) sense of connection. Itโs a three-fold connection. I was born and raised in the malodorous city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I introduced my congregation to VeggieTales, and Iโm the only one who still wears VeggieTale ties on Sunday. (Although, I am not now, nor have I ever been a youth pastor.) Third, my brotherโs wife, Diana, is a first cousin of Debbie, your Uncle Mikeโs wife. (Is that the uncle you mention on page 11?)
However, the real reason I write is to suggest you read Walter Brueggemannโs book The Prophetic Imagination. I recommend especially to you the chapter about Solomon and his ultimate failure as a king. This idea came to me when I finished “Me, Myself and Bob”. I told Vickie, my wife, that reading your book was like reading Ecclesiastes.
Thatโs all I got.
God bless you,
Dan Knight
Minister of Church Life
Overland Park, Kansas
Hi Phil
Your book was absolutely amazing in so many ways. I am a mom of four always been homeschooled wonderful kids and veggie tales has been a staple in our home since day one. I finished reading your book today. I think I cried solid for the last 5 chapters. I plan on passing on copies to friends and family and of course our pastor. We have very dear friends going through some very difficult personal marital problems right now and I hope to share your book with them especially (with God’s divine help, after listening of course to Him to hear if this is part of His plan!). Your story is humbling and inspirational and so much more all at the same time. My favorite sentence in the whole book, which really sums up everything was your answer to where do you want to be in five years? “In the center of God’s will.” What a wonderful world it would be if we could all give up our goals and dreams and submit our lives to God to live in the center of His will. Here’s hoping that many people will be touched by your book and hear God’s voice. Keep up the great work! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Keep up God’s plans for your life, He has blessed many people through you!
Linda TImms
Phil,
I just finished reading your book tonight. Thank you for your relentlessly honest and insightful look into your successes and failures. I’m one of the few who are new to VeggieTales– having an inquisitive toddler is great!– and I’m also in the midst of moving my small business to a new area of the country. Your last chapters really hit home with me. I know I often feel like the one armed paper hanger, and there’s a lot in there that resonated with someone who’s often confused his own dreams with God’s. Thanks for stopping me in my tracks and making me wait and pray.
I bought your book at the Forest Home bookstore in California at Family Camp. I love biographies and thought yours would be interesting; plus my kids were born just as Vegie Tales was being created so those videos were staples in our house. But boy is this book more than a biography! What I discovered was a book that has God’s fingerprints and the Holy Spirit’s influence all through it. You can tell that you didn’t try to write a book, the Holy Spirit compelled you to write this book and I felt that as I was reading it as the tears were streaming down my face. It is refreshing to hear the journey the Lord has you on and how he has worked in your life as a result. May the Lord continue to use you for His glory!
Philemon1:7 “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”
Thanks for refreshing my heart!
Phil,
This is my first time ever to respond to a blog – but I wanted you to know you had another book reader out there. I found it very interesting, applicable, and fun to read (that is when I was not misty eyed). I also found it interesting because our family crossed paths with the Nawrocki’s for a little bit (shared same park, daughters same age and in same activities, etc) so it was neat to see what was going on at this time in the big picture at Big Idea. Also, happy upcoming birthday, I am a 6/16/69 which is not as “cursed” as you but at least we have it better than that poor sot born on 6/6/66. I liked your “technical details” in the extra chapter. I remember when we got our first Silicon Graphics machine in college. It was a test machine for us to see what we could throw at it. We were doing engineering computations though which are not as pretty as graphics. Not much to see from a 3D Monte Carlo simulation – but they did run FAST. I could get results back faster than using the Cray at Argonne (because I did not have to wait in the queue for a day to get the cheap run time).
In any case add one more contented reader to your list who will keep an eye out for your future works. And if you blow a tire in Downers Grove, feel free to drop by ๐
–David
I just finished it last night! Excellent, I’ve already referred my whole small group to it! I laughed, I almost cried, I had a strange craving for Lima beans… But seriously, it was a fantastic read, both from a valuable business lesson, and more importantly I lesson on how to walk to God. God is truly working through you on more levels than you know. It’s been a while since I have been in God’s word, but after reading about your time reconnecting with Him, and finishing your book. I put down Me, Myself, and Bob, and picked up the Good Book, and had one of the most rewarding, and fulfilling time in the word that I have had in a long time.
P.S. My wife and I are 26, and have more VeggieTales videos then our 3 and 6 year old niece and nephew. (for our third anniversary, my wife received 6 videos from me, and was ecstatic!.
Just finished your book and after reading the last page, came right to the computer. I enjoyed your honesty so very much and appreciate you ended the book with great wisdom. I’m organizing a retreat about dreams for the women in my church–what to do when the dreams you had as a child don’t come true–and you’ve given me a whole new twist. I’d forgotten about the Shunnamite woman.
Blessings to you and thanks. The rest of my family now can read your book–which we got through the library through Supersearch!
I finally got the book from the library, after about four month of waiting. One month of it being “Under Consideration”, two months of it being “Ond Order”, and another month of it being “Received”. Somehow I don’t think it’ll take them nearly as long to process the next Harry Potter book.
I got it yesterday, and finished reading it this morning. I’ll have to read it a few more times to finalize my thoughts. I was chuckling in some parts, in tears in others, and frequently nodding my head, saying that’s what I thought.
By the way, isn’t the “Lost Chapter” on line here, (Points, Polygons, and Technobabble (Originally Chapter 13)) the same as “Chapter 8, Technical Mumbo Jumbo”? I only skimmed it, since once I started reading, I recognized it, but it looked nearly identical to me.
Phil,
I stumbled upon your book by chance at my library and picked up for an upcoming trip. I finished reading it on a plane full of French Canadiens with tears running down my face, trying to hide my 6’6 frame but not wanting to put the book down.
Thank you for sharing your story, struggles, and lessons.
There is so much more I would like to say, but for now, thank you and God bless.
I loved Me, Myself & Bob. It impacted my life tremendously. I posted my reaction to it on my Open Mikey blog.
Dear Phil – I’m not the best bible reader, I’ll admit, but God always seems to find obscure ways to speak to me. I found your book at our church library and as a veggietales fan from the very beginning (one of the college students who got hooked way back when), I figured I would pick it up. I had no idea what had happened to Big Idea, but Phil, I know God spoke through you in your words directly to my heart and my current life situation. Thank you for being willing to follow God’s path for you by writing this book, because he needed it to speak to me. I have now finished crying and need to call my mother as I know your message is for her too. God bless you and your new company, I will continue to keep both in my prayers .
G’day Phil, I got given your book last week as a gift (didn’t even know you had written one)…but absolutely loved it. What an amazing journey you have been through. I have been a fan of Veggie Tales pre-kids and post kids, and it was interesting to hear the story behind the company, including the devastating failures. But your honesty and lessons shared in the book are absolute gold and something that everyone needs to heed in order to keep their focus on God’s will and to combat the false ideas of success that the world pushes relentlessly into our minds. Thanks for being so open with your story, I’m sure it will be used to help so many others in their walk with God.
Very, very well done. Thanks for the reminders that God is enough.
God bless you and your wife, Phil. We will be watching for more of what your creative brain can pump out.
Have a blast!
Vickie
I read the whole book yesterday…wow! By the way…my husband and I are 2 of the many college kids who helped Bob and Larry become household names. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Chapter 21 is the best stuff I’ve read in a long time. My husband is a pastor and we’ve been really wondering about all the leadership/goal setting/strategic type stuff that is becoming such a huge presence in ministry circles. Your book helped us give words to our misgivings and reaffirmed our desire to just seek God, wait on Him, and not worry about our next fourteen steps or what our ministry strategy is. Thanks!
I just finished reading your book Me, Myself & Bob and I, too, was completely captivated by this sometimes horrendous story and could hardly put the book down. As I read I kept telling my family this is like reading about a train wreck. It wrecked me to read of the rise and fall of Big Idea. Our family passionately loved/loves Veggie Tales and the characters you created and we often quote parts of the videos and laugh hysterically about our inside jokes. I felt so sad reading of the demise of the company but when I read the last chapter about what you learned (“and so what we have learned” can’t help but run through one’s head as they write that) I was so blessed by your insights and the things that God taught you through that painful time. It brought a tear to my eye and endeared me towards you, your ideas, your company and those wonderful characters your brought to life once again. Our kids are now 12 and 14 and they’ve moved a little bit beyond Veggie Tales so we’re not in touch with your world quite as much as we used to be but I loved surfing your site and learning about what’s up in your world and mostly learning that you’re okay and still dreaming up stories to entertain kids. May God continue to lead and guide you and bless the things that he places on your heart.
Phil,
Well, I’ve just finished reading the book and all I have to say is…Wow! Your book really makes me appriciate the awesomeness of who God is; and how much He really loves each and every one of us. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for writing it. You’ve really opened my eys! Thanks again!
Thanks Phil. I read as quickly as I could with a two year old not wanting mom to sit and read. God has used your book to answer questions in my heart that I didn’t even know where there. I thank God for your transparency which has allowed Him to show me that He is enough. That I don’t need to be super mom and busy all the time, but focus on Him and wait for him to tell me where he is going to take me. Thank you for showing me that I don’t need to figure that out on my own.
Phil
I just finished reading your book. My first thought was that every Christian male needs to read this book. No matter what level of ambition a person has – fear of failure always exists. To read what you went through and see that God sustained you in the middle of incredible stress is an amazing testimony to His unfailing love; even when our mistakes are causing the stress. As John Eldridge details – God is Fathering us. A large part of our Spiritual growth is acknowledging His Fathering presense, power, and love. Thank you for the honesty you displayed in your book. I work for a retreat center that ministers to Christian leaders who are facing burnout and your book accurately shows that Christians leaders are human and are in the process, with the rest of us, of becoming Christ-like. This morning (6/28) Oswald Chambers in his orginal My Upmost for His Highest states out-right: “We are apt to imagine that if Jesus Christ constrains us, and we obey Him, He will lead us to great success. We must never put our dreams of success as God’s purpose for us; His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not. The question of getting to a particular end is a mere incident. What we call process, God calls the end.” From your book it sounds as if God is redefining many definitions you hold for what ‘life” is to be. I can say that He has been doing the same for me, very strongly, in recent years. Thank you for writing your book, it is a strong confirmation of many of these new definitions.
I’m just finishing the book tonight, I can say this, I like you Phil. I can almost see your publisher asking you to edit some of your candor out, I’m glad its there.
How many “idea” folks have tried to persuade you to hear out their idea? Don’t worry, I’m not going to do that. I had an idea this year and I’m trying to figure when to execute it. Its not hard to do, but its never been done, and I think its one of those ideas just waiting to happen.
Anyway, should it come to pass and work, I’d like to ask you some serious questions, and have you speak to a group of us dreamers and young entrepeneurs at a “pilot” conference in 2008.
Take care, thanks again, thats a unique book with some principles I will apply to my pursuits.
Dean
Just another person telling you how much I love VeggieTales. In seminary I did not have ‘TV’ but had a VCR and a tv…and the Seminary’s library which had Veggies and I would sometimes watch them on a Friday night. My husband, Rev Keith, and I, use the VeggiesTales in our confirmation classes. I do a woman’s bible study in a county jail and some times use the videos. Our 3 children love them, also LarryBoy and 321 Penguins. My husband and I feverishly read the book! We laughed, we cryed, I said…”been there!”…and I took the book to my pulpit at Calvary Lutheran and used it and read from the DREAMS, PART II chapter in my sermon. Phil, Keep riding on Jesus’ shoulders, remember He said His yoke is light and He will always take ours. God’s Peace Rev Marsha
I just finished the book, and must say that it left me profpoundly sad at what happened. I certainly understand how things got to that point, but my kids are growing up with Bob & Larry, and they feel like family. Consequently, Phil (and to a lesser degree Mike) felt like family. It seems like a tragedy.
I am encouraged, though, by reading Phil’s blog, and the direction he is going now. Still, this feels like “The Divorce, Part 2”.
Nevertheless, I recommend the book to anyone. Just like VeggieTales, you’ll laugh and learn as you go.
Good Luck to all.
hey phil… saw your book @ barnes & noble a few weeks back and thought, hmmm.. could be interesting. but then i thought, well, i’ll get it next time and picked up something else.
so, next time came and sure enough, i picked up your book, purchased it and brought it home. i was about to finish a Christian novel and don’t like “mixing” books… so waited until then.
i gotta tell ya, my heart was in there with you, fighting for you to stay afloat. (i was clueless to everything that you, your family and all those that hung their hat there with you had been experiencing – and i’m not even a blonde!) i felt your pain and so appreciated your honesty and candidness (is that a word? not sure…)
for some reason, i was slightly surprised at how good a story teller you are, especially for an adult book. makes no sense to me when i think of all the creative and great videos with your signature all over them!
we have loved watching all the videos with our now 9 year old son levi. the thought struck me… i wonder how things might have been different if we/me would have started praying for you, and all involved in the creating of a video… from the first time we ever laid eyes on bob and larry.
from here on out, i will be praying for you, your family and jellyfish, along with your continuing work with big idea, inc.
thank you for sharing this and God be wih you and bless you.
To quote Larry, “I laughed, I cried… It moved me Bob” er, I mean Phil.
Seriously, the paragraph on the back of the cover that talked about the ‘death of a dream’ made this book a must read for me. My wife and I are in full-time Christian work but have felt a shift in our vision for ministry. Our big dream is to be involved in ministry to seekers – people who are really searching and have tough questions that have no pat answers. However, any avenue we have pursued has been blocked. We have seen God do things that look like he is opening a door, only to see the door closed just as we get there.
Not only have we had our dreams, but we have close friends who have their own dreams of ministry as well. One friend actually had his dream realized… only to have it dashed by a very unfortunate change in leadership in the ministry. It was very difficult for me to watch this happen since my wife and I were involved in connecting our friends to this ministry to begin with.
The Big Question from seeing what has happened to our Big Dreams (and those of others) is, “What do we do with dreams and vision that seem to be coming from God?”
Your statement that dreams can become false lovers really hit home for me. It still does not answer the question. But it does give new perspective for my thinking. When the pursuit of a ministry crosses the line where it is equated with the pursuit of God himself, I see the ultimate idolatry there. Very subtle.
I like your conclusion that God is enough. I am going to camp on that thought for now.
Any way, I liked your book so much I bought two more copies for friends who are fellow pilgrims with big dreams for ministry. Thank you for your candor and honesty.
Phil,
I have never read your books or seen any Veggie Tale movies, but I have seen a reflection of your life’s commitment, what a joy! You know who I am though we have never met, lets start a dialogue. God bless your family.
Bob
Just finished the book today–august 29th, 2007. My son-in-law who has his own videography business read Me, Myself, & Bob last Christmas and it was so very encouraging to him. I can see why. You might even say it was life changing for him. I’ve rarely read a book that I enjoyed more–both your understated sense of humor (if he drank a can of Coke, he’d die. We made note of that) and the amazing lessons learned part…..absolutely wonderful
Almost finished with it and I think that it is GREAT! I don’t know why but it is intriguing. I also checked out Sidney and Norman and was touched by it more than you will ever know. I struggle with pride, and this book kept me thinking at work today. Don’t look down on my people “I love them”. You wouldn’t believe that our pastor had just done a sermon on this very subject, but you made it even simpler to understand. That is ONE of the many things that you all are good at, taking a complicated subject and making it so easy to understand. THANK YOU! I would love to be part of something so awesome.
Finished-what a ride!! I”ve started several enterprises with varying degrees of success. All have been driven by my dream. No more. The differance between my dream and God,s revelation will take the distress out of the daily challange er grind. Great read- will pass out copies to my kids-Thanks for birthing this book.
my library up here in “no religion is good religion” land (that’s Jersey for our Heartland friends) had your book and had it on a DISPLAY!!!! I am living under a rock (read mother of two) and didn’t know ANY of what had happend or that you had written a book!
We’re doing it for book group- you lessons can change lives of a housewife, up to a CEO. THank you so much for sharing your testimony this way. I am also buying a couple copies for Christmas gifts!!!
Phil,
My sister gave me your book. I read it aloud to my husband and kids (19, 21) on our way home from our family vacation to Disney World. How appropriate, considering the connection you felt with Walt. We finished it before reaching our midwestern home. Wow.
As they are facing college and “real life,” I was grateful that my kids had a chance to see how much bigger God is than our biggest plans. We have been big Veggie Tales fans since the videos first came out. We sing the songs and quote the lines all the time. We knew something was up when no more Penguin movies came out. I was so sad when I caught wind of what happened to you. That is, until I read your book.
God is bigger, isn’t He?! Thank you for all the time, sacrifice, and investment you made through those years. But most of all, thank you for sharing your story. It made an impact on us and challenged our thinking.
We should all be jelly fish. God bless you and your family.
I just finished reading your book. What a page-turner it turned out to be!
VeggieTales has been a part of our family since my oldest son, (who is now 7) fell in love with them when he was about 3 years old. My younger son, who is now 4, discovered them when he was about 2 and is a FANATIC! We own every video/dvd and almost every toy that has been made. The Sumo ring and pirate ship still get played with VERY often.
Since VeggieTales is such a huge part of our family, it was really nice to read the book. I could hear Larry’s humor coming through the pages and found myself laughing out loud at times. By the end of the book, I found myself crying. What more could you ask for from a book?
Nicely done, Mr. Vischer and thank you for reminding me that it doesn’t matter what I want….its what God wants that should rule my life. God Bless you and yours.
I just finished Me, Myself, and Bob. It is an amazing book and I am reccomending it to everyone that I know. Veggie Tales has been a part of my life since I was 12 and now it is becoming a part of my kids life. My two year old noticed me reading the book and kept saying “mommy see bob” because she saw bob on the cover… Back to the book. I can’t even begin to put into words how much phil’s story moved me. I laughed… I cried… Most importantly it helped me to put things into prospective in my life. I am letting go of my dreams and thanking Jesus that I finally got the picture that HE is more than enough for me. It has been a hard hard road and I have a strong feeling that it is going to get harder before it gets easier, but I know that Jesus is with me and that is all that really matters. Thank you for sharing your story phil. It changed my life!
read it! I picked it up while in the Christian bookstore. I was actually there looking for another book, but it caught my eye and I picked it up. I couldn’t put it down, so when it was time to go, I bought it. I confess, I read from the middle (the demise of all things Veggie) first till the end, then read the beginning, until I reached the end again! It was very honest and sincere and answered so many questions. My wife just called me a little while ago, and told me you would be at a conference I’m going to next year, so I hope I get the chance to have you sign my copy!
Phil:
I loved you’re book. It is extraordinarily honest, and emotional. As a parent of children who grew up on God first, Bob & Larry second, please know that you were a PART of God’s plan to bring kids to the door of the Christ –the one at which they can knock.
It’s an amazing book….one with many heartfelt and instructive lessons. Yet– (you knew there had to be a “yet” didn’t you! Please file this either under “Everyone’s a Critic” or as a learning lesson in “why my posting trashbox is so full….”)
At any rate, when you are rewriting it for paperback release, please consider the following thought. In the end of your book, you note that God wants to know if we’ll let our dreams die for Him, or if we’ll “kill” our dreams for Him. God is omniscient, all knowing. He knows the future — it’s what allows the phrase “that His chosen are written in the Book of Life from beginning of the world” to have any truth at all. He’s ALWAYS known what Abraham, David, His Son and even you were going to choose before he/they actually did it. He knows if we can kill our dreams for Him. He merely wants YOU/US to know, and by doing so, we can learn, (as you did) that to be in Him is to be complete.
Other than that small theological note… you truly have been God sent— and may our Lord the Christ continue to bless you with he insight that He is all….
Postscript: the email address is a tip of the hat to our Lord, (and a little bit to Johnny Carson, not a description of me!
Hi Phil. I’m in the process of reading “Me, Myself, & Bob.” I’m currently half way through. I really liked “meeting” Bill Haljun through your writings. I’m of the mindset that the Christian culture could use more people like him.
Really, it’s been a fascinating read. You are to be admired for taking chances. I christen you the “Christopher Columbus of Computer Animation.”
Two small complaints:
I think your assessment of marriage is rather one-sided and bleak. At one point you complain of “…a culture that sneers and spits on the very idea of a lifelong commitment.” This feeling may be the norm for someone with a background similar to yours, but I’ve found that lifelong commitment in our culture is actually something MOST people admire – Christian and non-Christian alike.
I’m not a big Disney fan, and I agree with your view that he is rather “ridiculously optimistic” at times. But to say that his only message was to tell kids their dreams would come true if only they’ll “wish upon a star” is a misrepresentation of his art (at least as it relates to some of his films, his amusement parks, well, that’s another story).
“Pinocchio”, where you’ll find that little song, also has scenes of heartbreak – “naughty” children turned into donkeys and sold down the river, an evil puppet master who imprisons Pinocchio, etc.
I wonder how many children, abused, neglected, lonely, heart-broken, have watched “Pinocchio” and picked up on the HOPE inherent in the story. Surely a biblical message if there ever was once.
Thanks for listening. Blessings to you and yours.
Like a few others, I would like to start by apologizing for the length of this post. It didn’t start long, but this is new to me. Well here it is . . .
I just finished Me, Myself, & Bob. Wow. So many things to say. I will try to summarize. I was introduced to VeggieTales by a grandfather of fourteen and dear friend. Fast forward about 5 years . . . I was losing my job in about a year. I was very calm. That evening I prayed a simple prayer. โLord, place me where I can do the most good.โ I trusted Him for a while, but my worldliness got the better part of me and I applied for two jobs that I should have been a no-brainer. Both doors were slammed shut. I apologized and went back to trusting Him.
My sister gave me this book for Christmas. She said that it reminded her of my business. I read the book in a week. Pretty good since I have been trying to read the same book for over a year. I like reading and really like the author. A whisper kept telling me that I had to read this book. Now I know why. Me, Myself, & Bob has taught me numerous things. I need to continue to trust. I am not wrong for trusting in the Lord. (No matter what the world is telling me). Pride can bite you when you least expect it. I need to listen to the whispers (and the shouting!) ๐ The biggest message I received from this book was that I need to wait. I have been fairly good at the trust thing, but the waiting thing has not been so good.
Thank you Phil for being so open, humble, brave enough to open your heart to us. I will be recommending this book to everyone. Now if I can just find Roy . . .
I feel I knew Phil in another life – somehow..
Read in one day, which for myself is quite unusual. I remember trying to solve the “how do I get my animation frames to professional tape” too.
Poked around this site, where’s the extra chapter?
HIGHLY Recommended –
I will pray for your family.
Don
Indianapolis
I just finished crying my way thru your book. I’m sorry for your pain. I am in the midst of a very difficult year with what was once discribed as the perfect storm–loss of job, pastor, son and family moved to the other side of the world, health.. Pain on every side. I found myself in the valley of loss..a lonely, hard place to be. But I knew enough about God to know that He takes us through the valley and does not leave us in the valley. So I kept putting one foot in front of the other and took baby steps believing that one day I will see the other side. It has been a long process and some days Iike yesterday I was so angry. At who? Don’t know, maybe God for bringing me here. Or me, did I do it? I so identified with you in many ways. For one thing I have raised my family in the CMA and knew all your references about the church. So of course when my only son, my youngest, my closest and his little son whom I love dearly decided to go the mission field, I am supposed to be happy and leap for joy, right? I’m not leaping and I feel bad about it. I want him to come home. So much for being spiritual and sold out for God. Our church didn’t turn out the way I dreamed and some nasty things happened to our friend and pastor and now I don’t know if I want to be there any more. My job is gone, and I spend a lot of time on the floor with pain in my back and leg. I’ve tried many things and I don’t know what to do now and don’t dare to hope that it will ever be better. My parents divorced when I was 11 and we walked out of the door and left my dad with his arms folded across his chest. That was my worst memory until God healed it. Really. But I have been searching for my dad’s love all my life. I asked God to just let me die in June but He said no, so here I am waiting to find out what He is refining and redefining me into. Honestly I dont’ know who I was meant to be. I just know I haven’t ever been it yet. So I believe that one day I will look back on this time, like you, and smile because He does love me and has a good plan for my life. He has promised me that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And that He has a future and a hope for me. Can’t see it yet but its ahead.
Thank you for your honest book. It was recommended to me and it is the first book I have been able to read since this all began for me. I have little interest in anything. But I am so glad I read your story. I could just picture the new ideas popping up in your head. How exciting. God bless you. And my kids and grandkids love VeggieTales. Thanks for that too.
halfway through your book! excellent, inspiring, intriguing to learn that you guys aren’t perfect Christians but made such great Christian media!
Just finished reading the book and I am talking it up ALL OVER … here’s a link to my blog review of it! What an inspiring book.
http://compulsiveoverreader.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/lentbooks-3-me-myself-and-bob-by-phil-vischer/