Purgatory, USA - Episode 2 is Now Online!

The second episode of Purgatory, USA is now online!


Check it out! Let us know what you think.

SLP Angels Get Sneak Peek!

People who have signed up to be Sonlight Pictures Angels, our prayer partners, have been given an advanced screening online of Purgatory, USA Episode 2! Public viewing will be made available this weekend, but SLP Angels can watch it online right now.

Don't miss out on this and future goodies by signing-up to be one of our Angels today!

The Pain of Fear

With all of the stress and concern over the financial crisis we, along with many of our church friends, have really been hit hard by these events. The mental toll and worry have been palatable for most.

During Mass this passed Sunday, I was praying about the pain associated with that weight on us and I thought back to the many times in my life where the world had seemed to weigh heavy upon me. After months of trying to fight those tough events and fearing the worst, they always ended up so painful that I would just give the problems up to God.

That moment of release, of choosing faith over fear, was always immediately followed by an incredible sense of release and deep, inner peace.

In talking with DC I explained that it doesn't mean the road will get any easier, only that the Lord will give you the strength to travel it.

During Mass it occurred to me that the pain we feel prior to that moment of trust, that moment of faith, is the pain of holding on so tightly to a problem the Lord is trying to pull from us, a problem of which he already has the solution. The longer we hold on, the tighter we grasp and try to control those areas of life, the more painful it becomes, until finally, we are unable to deal with it anymore. Then, and only then, do we release those problems and allow God to perform his will in our lives.

So, tonight, I learned from my previous lessons and let go early. Take the worries, Lord. Take the weight of fear. Take the pain of holding on to that which I cannot control. Take it. And surprise me with your solution.

I can't wait to see what He comes up with.

Purgatory, USA - BTS Interview 04

We've posted the last of our interviews prior to the release of Episode 2 this weekend. Click on Pic to watch.

In this interview the cast discusses how much they are like or unlike their characters.

PUSA - Countdown to Episode 2

We’ve added a countdown clock on airing the next episode of Purgatory, USA on the front page of our Sonlight Pictures website as well as the PurgatoryUSA.com website.

SLP Website

PUSA Website

Now you’ll know how long until the next episode airs!

McCain's Letter Warning of Fannie/Freddie Financial Crisis

During the campaign there has been a lot of talk about who warned of the financial crisis kicked off by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. At least one candidate has been able to show the proof...

Check out the letter McCain and other Republicans signed in 2006 about it RIGHT HERE. Below is a smaller version.



Can't wait to see Obama's letter.

PUSA - Interview #3 Online

We now have our third of twelve interviews online. This interview talks about the type of stories we tell. Some of the info is what I’ve covered on the Sonlight Pictures Blog, but since it’s me talking, it should be vastly more interesting.

We’ve also added a Purgatory, USA interview page, where you can check back for the lastest and greatest.

Latest Debate

I just watched the latest debate. Boring. Uninspiring.

These are the best two candidates? Really?

REALLY?

I don't like either candidate, but I like Obama less... and he'll win.

Hello higher taxes, hello bigger government, hello Freedom of Choice Act which overrides any state laws on abortion, hello socialism, hello ultra-liberal judges, hello national health care, hello inexperienced Commander-in-Chief in the most dangerous time in modern history...

...hello scary times.

Hypocrisy is Thick These Days

People harp on Palin for her "lack" of political experience, but here's a nugget that no one seems to talk about... Obama has the potential to engage in his longest tenure in one position in politics as the President of the United States!

President. Of the United States.

The guy's spent seven years in the Illinois State Senate. He's only spent two years as U.S. Senator, most of that time running for the presidency. Two terms as U.S. Prez tops either one of those.

And he's more qualified how, exactly?

And why is Palin "unqualified" and Bill Clinton was "exceptionally qualified" to be President?

• Bill Clinton was a governor of a small state. So is Palin.
• Bill Clinton had minimal foreign policy experience. So does Palin.
• Bill Clinton was married to a man. So is Palin.
• Bill Clinton was the prettiest spouse in the marriage. So is Palin.

All joking aside, the Obama-loving media just conveniently ignore important facts. As one headline recently reported... "How the 2008 Election Demolished the Credibility of "Mainstream" Press." Objectivity is lost. Equal criticism is lost.

Let's not talk about Obama's sketchy past or socialist leanings or communist advisors or Fanny Mae/Freddie Mac ties or his views on unfetered abortions to the point of not even saving a child that survives an abortion attempt. Let's not talk about that.

Let's talk about Palin's daughter's pregnancy. Yeah, that has more impact on the presidency.

The hypocrisy is so blatant and thick and sickening.

I'm not saying Palin is the savior of the Republican party... I just want the media to stop treating Obama as the savior of the nation. He's a man with his own past and his own decisions that deserves the same scrutiny. Period.

The American voter deserves to know ALL the facts, not just the ones that are aligned with the Democrats talking points. Who knows, after such scrutiny, the guy could turn out to be the greatest human to walk the plant earth in nearly 2000 years. But we'll never know.

Gosh, I never thought I'd say this, but "I remember a time when the media mattered."

Seems like a long time ago.

Palin Visit

Seeing a potentially historical figure in person is a rarity in life, so we took the opportunity to see Governor Sarah Palin's visit to a rally in Clearwater. I've never been to one, so I thought I should attend as well.

The morning started at 5:00 a.m. We left the house by 5:30 a.m., made it to the parking and were bused over to Coachman Park by 6:30 a.m. We got prime seats, some 10 yards away from the podium and stood around for the next three hours.

Pic courtesy of the St. Pete Times

Actually, it wasn't that bad... all of the local speakers started around 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. You could tell the event was important to the GOP because everyone was there... Representative Young, Senator Martinez and Governor Crist. Governor Palin arrived and was introduced by Senator Joe Liberman.

The greatest quality Palin has is her true sincerity. She is just a very nice person. When they walked on stage and everyone was waving and yelling, you could see just how moved she was... she kept leaning over to Liberman and saying "Wow! Wow!" At one point you could actually see in her eyes just how moved she was by the large and enthusiastic turnout.

Pic courtesy of the St. Pete Times

Her speech was familiar, but impassioned. She layered in off-the-cuff comments, jokes and commented how the Tampa Bay Rays were not given much of a chance to win at the beginning of the season, but they, like the McCain/Palin ticket, would surprise people in the end.

Also, as Dea pointed out, she looks even more beautiful in person. The camera doesn't do her justice.

To prove we were there, can you spot me and Dea in the pic below?

Pic courtesy of the St. Pete Times

At the end of the speech she spent almost 1/2 hour signing autographs and shaking hands. At one point, she spotted a mother with a special needs child and stopped.

She held the baby in her arms and you could see her mouth to the mother, "They're all special! She'll always be special!"

It was a very sincere, touching moment.

DC was lucky enough to shake her hand as well. Gabe, however, was getting crushed, so we pulled him out and waited for everyone to make their way out.

Okay, give up finding Dea and me? Here we are...

Pic courtesy of the St. Pete Times

It was a memorable and exhausting experience. I'm glad we had the chance to attend.

We'll have more pics from Dea's camera later.

PUSA - Interview #2 Online

Just an FYI that I posted the second of 12 interviews online. In this second interview Dorothea and Tiffany talk about why they think teens will enjoy Purgatory, USA.

Check it out!

What if Apostles had Blogs...

In the warped realm that is my mind, I was wondering what a blog by an Apostle would read like.

"Those dang Ephesians! Will they ever listen to me?"

"Still traveling to Syria. Weather was nice."

"You'll never guess who sprung me from prison... seriously! An angel! I'm not kidding! It was so cool! I've attached pics I took with my phone."

I know, silliness.

Father Fearless - Great Stuff

Check out Father Fearless on GodTube... he's a priest who's responding to the Blasphemy Challenge where people blasphemed the Holy Spirit online. He explains how they misinterpreted the term for blasphemy and offers us a challenge.



He's lively, energetic and funny. Good stuff. Go God!

PUSA - Interview Online

The first of many PUSA interviews is now online... you can watch it on here.



Enjoy!

Novena... Nearing Mid-Point

A 54-Day Novena is split into two halves... 27 days in petition and 27 days in thanksgiving for the answer, even if it is no or not what you wanted/expected. We're nearing the mid-point of the Novena for God's Will to occur in the US Presidential Elections.

It occurred to me the other day, as DC and I were praying the Novena, that perhaps God's Will is to chastise us.

Now, wouldn't that stink?

What If I Played Golf...

From my Sonlight Pictures Blog...

****

My father loved golf. Loved it. As far back as I can remember, my father watched, talked and played golf. Even into his 80’s and struggling with Parkinson’s, he would be eager to show you the latest adjustments to his golf swing. It was his personal passion.

When I was in high school I realized that I really wanted to be an actor. Ever since I was nine years old I wanted to make movies and after getting a taste of the theater at Northeast High, I realized this was my calling.

My father struggled with that idea. Big time. He had an accounting background. My older brothers and sisters were accountants, teachers, managers, analytical chemists, etc. And I wanted to be an actor?????

My family didn’t get it. For my Dad, it simply did not compute.

In my father’s mind, he didn’t want me to make any grave mistakes that would put my future in jeopardy by being an actor. For him, acting wasn’t a career, it was a hobby. It wasn’t a “real” job. It was frivolous at best and irresponsible at worst.

Then he went to the golf course.

He hit a couple of buckets of balls and, on the drive home, was worried about my passion for acting. “Why acting? Why not something normal?” He asked himself. “Hec, if Peter would want to play golf, I could support that!”

A moment later he stopped and asked himself “Why is being a golfer any more valid than being an actor? Why is being an accountant any more valid than being an actor? Just because I think don’t think it’s right doesn’t mean it’s not right for him.”

By the time he got home he had come to terms with my passion. And he supported me completely from that day forward. Instead of fighting me on it, he started to ask questions, to inquire, to learn. He started to watch television shows with a more critical eye and we would discuss what made it a success or failure.

Because my father had a change of heart, it opened up our relationship and took us down paths we never would have experienced otherwise. He once told me that my performance in Broadway Bound at the Hippodrome in Gainesville was one of the most touching moments of his life. He learned to love me for the gifts God had given me instead of trying to force me down a pragmatic path he had envisioned. He attended almost all of my productions and, with every visit backstage, his face beamed, his eyes filled with tears and he would embrace me with a long and heartfelt hug. There was no greater feeling, no applause, no review, no paycheck that even came close to those affirming hugs given to me by my father.

Now, with Sonlight Pictures, I think back to his drive home from the golf course and wonder. What if I had played golf? What if I followed his dream for me instead of God’s plan for me? Where would my path have lead?

When I started Sonlight Pictures, after substantial prayer and discernment, I realized that all of my experiences in my life had been in preparation for this vocation. God gave me these creative passions. Those are my unique gifts, my unique attributes as the greater body of Christ. My acting experience, my behind-the-scenes television experience, my real world project management experience, my health challenges, my faith journey… all have been in preparation for this effort, Sonlight Pictures.

I am just grateful that my father recognized the unique talents that God had given me… and they weren’t accounting and chemistry and teaching… it was acting, writing and directing. And I am even more grateful that he had the wisdom and trust in the Lord to let me follow what God had inspired in me over what he thought I should do with my life.

My father trusted in the Lord with his youngest child and that trust has allowed me to grow beyond my aspirations.

Some twenty-five years later, I look back and think, “Thank goodnes I never liked to play golf.”

CatholicVote.com

Here's a great and inspiring video over at CatholicVote.com.

Check it out. And, if you're so inclined, sign-up for more info over at their website.

Thank you!

I just wanted to thank everyone for their positive feedback and support for Purgatory, USA. Everyone involved in the project is so touched by the reaction. It's a blessing.

When we were shooting these, people kept saying "The Lord has big plans for this." I hope that ends up being true.

It's gratifying to know that all of those hours involved in creating the project has not been done in vain. As I said to the cast and crew just this morning, we can only go down from here! :)

I've been in contact with a couple of youth group leaders locally, Paul is checking with people in Houston and I sent the link to Matt S. at Lifeteen, so we'll see what happens. I think they could be used as a great way to introduce ideas for further discussion as part of the youth ministry. We'll have to wait and see.

Please keep forwarding the PurgatoryUSA.com link to everyone you feel would enjoy the show. We're prepping to begin shooting our fifth episode. We hope to get better at this with each episode. The lessons we learned in the first four will definitely be used in the remaining shows.

Also keep an eye out as we'll be posting interviews online soon in between each episode release.

So, thanks again! Please keep us in your prayers. And keep spreading the word.

Purgatory, USA: Episode 1 - Now Online!

You can check out the first episode of Purgatory, USA online for free at: www.purgatoryusa.com.

Check it out! Let me know what you think.

UPDATE: You can now see this in HIGH DEFINITION by clicking HERE.

Purgatory, USA - Premiere Canceled.

Due to logistics and space limitations, we’ve had to cancel the idea of throwing a premiere party. Too bad, as it would have been a lot of fun, but too many hurdles were in the way.

The good news is that we shot some interviews with Dorothea and Tiffany this weekend. So, we’ll be posting the episodes and the interviews online soon.