Updates at SonlightPictures.com

I've updated the Sonlight Pictures website (sonlightpictures.com) with a new layout for quick links to each of our current projects as seen below. We'll have more info there and at the Sonlight Pictures Blog.

Stop by every once and a while and see our progress.

Iron Man (2008)

Only one actor on the planet could pull off the lead character of Tony Stark in the film Iron Man and that man is Robert Downey, Jr. Who else could effectively play a billionaire playboy, womanizer, wunderkind, computer and mechanical genius, arms dealer with a soft heart surrounded by a thick skin of self indulgence who turns into a superhero?

Seriously. Name one other person.

To say Downey, Jr. is perfectly cast is an understatement.

The story for Iron Man is very well told, both smart and funny. It utilizes the refreshing Stark character to play against the awe-shucks superhero type and give us a flawed man we both want to be and could see ourselves being, yet know we'll never get there. We identify with this imperfect man who turns his gifts that have benefited his wallet and into something that benefits everyone.

He goes from selfish to selfless. From conceited to a man with a conscious.

Actor and director Jon Favreau from Rudy, Swingers and Elf fame, puts on his directing cap and guides us skillfully across the world and into near-fantasy as man and machine become one in the form of Iron Man.

A fun, smart and memorable superhero action flick. Bring the popcorn, bring the wit and enjoy the ride.

Rays in First Place?!?!?!

Do not adjust your sets. The Tampa Bay Rays are now officially in 1st place in the AL East.

The Rays!?! The once awful Devil Rays, now just Rays, have won 8 of 12 this month and have swept the Jays, the Angels and the Red Sox this season.

After beating the stinkin' Yanks 2-1 in extra innings last night, the Rays moved ahead of the Red Sox by a 1/2 game to hold onto first for the first time in franchise history.


I know it's a long season. I know it's only May. But, this team is vastly improved. Four out of the last five starting pitchers for the Rays have left the game pitching a shutout. That's amazing.

So, we'll enjoy this run as long as we can. Tonight Gabe and I are heading to the ballpark to watch our stud James Shields pitch against Mike Mussina, I believe.

Should be fun!

Merrill's Alter-Ego Identified

My niece, Merrill, recently took a job position in Tampa. In Sunday's newspaper she was pictured twice, once as Merrill Stewart and another as Michael Nielson.

Now that I think about it, that actually explains a lot!

Click on the pic below for a bigger image and see for yourself.

Click on me!

Do any of you have any Merrill Stewart, err, Michael Nielson stories you'd like to share?

Great Sermon

Talk about tough love.... this is a great sermon from a Baptist preacher. A wonderful eye opener, discussing the difference between being "saved" and being "holy."

They say...

"This is a Shockingly Powerful & Biblical message preached to about 5,000 youth in a day when youth are appealed to through shallow and worldly means. At one point in this sermon the 5,000 Youth are clapping and yelling BUT THEN the preacher makes a comment that CHANGES THE WHOLE ATMOSPHERE TO WHERE YOU COULD HAVE HEARD A PIN DROP... As you can imagine, the preacher was never invited back."

He presses that saying "I believe in Jesus" is not enough... we must live a holy life. He says "It is not that you have sinned, but that you have done nothing but sin!" Later he says "It is more than just acknowledging Jesus is Lord. Satan acknowledges Jesus is Lord."

If its true he was never invited back... well, I can see why. He holds no punches.

Check it out. It's worth it.

Creation of Sonlight Pictures

Over the next five days at the Sonlight Pictures blog I'll be sharing the humorous creation and faith journey that culminated in the creation of Sonlight Pictures.

Check it out if you like!

Little League - Games A' Plenty

Due to scheduling issues, what was supposed to be a game Thursday and a game Saturday turned into a mini-tournament. So, we played one game Thursday (we won), a game Friday evening (lost 4-1) and another game Saturday (lost 4-3).

The team did well. The losses were competitive games, which is all you can ask for at this level. Gabe did well pitching and at the plate. I'll have highlights in a few days.

We'll have one more weekend tourney just for fun next week and then it's prepping for all-stars.